HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Camp Russell, Va., December 9, 1864.

Captain H. A. DU POINT,

Commanding Battery B:

CAPTAIN: The general commanding directs that you send a rifle battery to take post at Fort Ricketts.

By command of Major-General Crook:

WM. McKINLEY, JR.,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
December 9, 1864.

Colonel T. M. HARRIS,

Commanding First Infantry Division:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you send one of your regiment to Fort Ricketts, on the right of your line. A battery of the Sixth Army Corps is there. Your regiment will support it. I understand good quarters are there.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. McKINLEY, JR.,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
December 9, 1864.

Major WILLIAM RUSSELL, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry:

MAJOR: The patrols sent out to-day report all quiet. The patrol at Swift Schoal Ford had a slight skirmish with the enemy, resulting in wounding slightly one man of Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and killing one of the enemy. The enemy were about twenty strong, on the east bank. The people report that our patrols will be badly whipped if we keep them out much longer.

Respectfully, &c.,

WM. B. TIBBITS,

Brevet Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
December 9, 1864.

Brevet Major-General CUSTER,

Commanding Third Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: The chief of cavalry directs that you issue such orders to the pickets of your division as will in future prevent all citizens coming within the lines, with the exception of refugees and persons coming north to stay. All others going out or coming in must present a pass from the major-general commanding Middle Military Division.

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

WM. RUSSELL, JR.,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.