HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Martinsburg, Va., October 24, 1864.

Colonel CURRIE,
Commanding Brigade:

COLONEL: You will have your brigade in readiness to move at 5.30 a. m. to-morrow, provided with three day's rations. The Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, Colonel Allen; Ninth New York Artillery, Captain Lamoreaux, and several detachments of cavalry, will be ordered to report to you at that hour. You will have command of the entire escort for the train, which will be on the winchester pike, near town, at the hour before mentioned. Further orders will be sent you.

By command of Brigadier-General Seward:

E. C. WATKINS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, W. VA., October 24, 1864.

Captain KENNEDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Dept. of W. Va., Cumberland, Md.:

The enemy have appeared in Raleigh and on Cotton Hill; Witcher and Thurmond, with 600 men, are known to be there; whether any more I cannot now say. My pickets were driven in at Gauley last night. River very low.

JOHN H. OLEY,

Colonel, Commanding First Separate Brigade.

HDQRS. FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADIER, DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Charleston, W. La., October 24, 1864.

Captain R. P. KENNEDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cumberland, Md.:

Witcher went to Guyan [dotte] River yesterday. Rebels have shown a force at foot of Cotton Hill and across Gauley River. Have prevented their crossing either river thus far. Reports still come in that Breckinridge is coming with his command.

JOHN H. OLEY,

Colonel, Commanding.

CHARLESTON, W. VA., October 24, 1864.

Colonel R. F. TAYLOR,

Camp Piatt:

Colonel Polsley telegraphs me that about 200 infantry and about 100 cavalry were shown by the rebels before dark. I wish you to watch and take care of Paint Creek road. Send a company there if necessary. The rebels may try to get in Polsley's rear to-night, and I want you to see to it.

JOHN H. OLEY,

Colonel, Commanding.