HEADQUARTERS MILITARY GOVERNOR,
Alexandria, Va., November 16, 1864. (Received 7.20 p. m.)

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Headquarters Department of Washington:

SIR: Nothing to report this evening, except that two of Mosby's scouts, Sergeant Taylor, a deserter from the New York cavalry, and Newcomb, appeared to-day on line of railroad above Accotink. They subsequently passed through Fairfax Court-House in a westwardly direction.

Respectfully,

JNO. P. SLOUGH,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22ND ARMY CORPS,
Washington, D. C., November 16, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER CAVALRY BRIGADE,

At Falls Church:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you send a battalion of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry to report to me at Fort Ethan Allen to-morrow, November 17, at 10 a. m. Be pleased to see that good horses are selected.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
November 16, 1864.

Brevet Brigadier-General DEVIN,

Commanding First Division Cavalry:

GENERAL: In compliance with instructions received from army headquarters, the chief of cavalry directs that you send early to-morrow morning a reconnaissance on the Valley pike, as far as Cedar Creek, for the purpose of gaining information, the force to consist of at least one regiment, the officer in command of which will report at army headquarters on his way out. Similar reconnaissances on the right and left will be sent from Third and Second Divisions. I have the honor to be, general, your very obedient servant,

JOHN J. COPPINGER,

Captain, Fourteenth Infantry, and Acting Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
November 16, 1864.

Major-General CUSTER,

Commanding Third Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: In compliance with instructions received from army headquarters, the chief of cavalry directs that you send early to-morrow morning a reconnaissance on the country to the right of the Valley pike, to go as far as Cedar Creek, the force to consist of at least one regiment. General Devin sends a similar force on the Valley pike. This reconnaissance for the purpose of gaining information.

I have the honor to be, general, your very obedient servant,

JOHN J. COPPINGER,

Captain, Fourteenth Infantry, and Acting Aide-de-Camp.