SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIDDLE DEPT, 8TH ARMY CORPS, No. 264.
Baltimore, October 22, 1864.

1. Brigadier-General Lockwood, commanding Third Separate Brigade, will at once take the necessary steps to concentrate the Eight Massachusetts Militia, Colonel B. F. Peach commanding, previous to their being put en route to place of muster out of said regiment.

The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

* * * * * *

By command of Major-General Wallace:

OLIVER MATTHEWS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, October 22, 1864.

Major-General COUCH, Chambersburg:

Please report for what reason have you removed the calvary company form Columbia county that was recently there.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA., October 22, 1864-4 p. m.

(Received 7 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTION, Secretary of War:

Four days ago all troops that could be spared from other points were concentrated in this valley in consequence of the existing alarm among the people, and the earnest exhortation of Governor Curtin, who informed me that a raid at this time would be very disastrous to the country. Of this I will communicate by letter. Possibly the half company of cavalry ordered from Columbia County might return. some days ago I informed General Halleck that cavalry was absolutely necessary in this State for the good of the country.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, October 22, 1864.

Major-General DIX,

Headquarters Department of the East, New York City:

The Secretary of War desire\s to see you here immediately. Acknowledge receipt.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant adjutant-General.

NEW YORK, October 22, 1864.

(Received 3 p. m.)

General TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-general:

Your dispatch, stating that the Secretary of War wished to see me immediately, is received. I will leave to-night.

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.