ALEXANDRIA, October 17, 1864-10.10 p.m.

(Received 10.25 p.m.)

Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff and Asst. Adjt. General, Hdqrs. Dept. of Washington:

COLONEL: The Fifth Wisconsin started at 9 o'clock for Annandale. Captain Lusk's cavalry started about 7 in the direction of Mosby. My railroad guard I think good for the protection of the railroad.

Respectfully,

JNO. P. SLOUGH,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

ALEXANDRIA, October 17, 1864.

(Received 7.30 p.m.)

Colonel TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: It is reported that Mosby with about 300 men are in the vicinity of Burke's Station this afternoon. They are on the Braddock road. We have sent what cavalry we have to look after them.

W. W. WINSHIP,

Captain and Acting Provost-Marshal-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Fort Buffalo, Va., October 17, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that an alarm, to the effect that a large force of Mosby's cavalry, reported by Captain Schneider, commanding stockade at Annandale, as about 400, and that they are now at Annandale, exists at the time of present writing, 8 p.m. I have sent forty men from here to that point, all that can be spared. This will leave the effective strength here about 150 men, and make it at Annandale 115 men. I have sent General De Russy word of these dispositions. This place can be held against all that Mosby has with our present force and information.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. LAZELLE,

Colonel Sixteenth New York Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.

WASHINGTON, October 17, 1864-10.40 a.m.

Brigadier General J. D. STEVENSON,

Harper's Ferry, W. Va.:

Communicate your wants to Generals Sheridan and Crook. They must give you escorts. There are no troops here to send you.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.