fense be adopted, it is the expressed wish of General Sheridan that he Winchester and Potomac Railroad be reopened before the withdrawal of his army to the Opequon.

Respectfully submitted.

GEO. THOM,

Colonel, aide-de-Camp, Major of Engineers.

B. S. ALEXANDER,

Major of Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel, Aide-de-Camp.

RECTORTOWN, VA., October 26, 1864.

(Received 5 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

The following extract from an intercepted letter form a prisoner confined near Front Royal to his wife, dated October 23, may have some significance:

It is my opinion that both Early ada Sheridan are going to Richmond, and the object of the attack was to prevent Sheridan from getting there first.

C. C. AUGUR,

Major-General.

ALEXANDRIA, VA., October 26, 1864.

(Received 4.15 p. m.)

Major C. H. RAYMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters:

MAJOR: Pursuant to orders received from Major-General Augur, dated Rectortown the 11th instant, the Second District of Columbia Volunteers were sent out on the railroad, in the neighborhood of white Plains. I cannot furnish the troops to relieve the company of the Forty-second Massachusetts at Great Falls until I have more troops in alexandria.

Respectfully,

JNO. P. SLOUGH,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, October 26, 1864.

Brevet Major-General EMORY,
Commanding Nineteenth Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you detail one brigade to relieve Colonel Dudley's command as escort to wagon train. The brigade is required to be in readiness at 8 o'clock to morrow morning, to accompany the train to Winchester, at which time the commanding officer will report in person to these headquarters for orders.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. KINGSBURY, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.