POINT LOOKOUT, December 18, 1864.

Major-General AUGUR:

I have just received report from J. Taylor, commanding at Saint Indigoes Naval Station, that he has heard that 150 rebels, crossed the river above Piney Point last night, and that eight have been captured. I have sent to the commanders at Leonardtown to be on their guard and to scour the country in pursuit of them. I know nothing of the truth of the report.

J. BARNES,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, December 18, 1864.

Brevet Major-General GROVER,
Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps:

The division of General Crook's command now on your right will be withdrawn. General Crook will notify you when it leaves. The picket-line of General Crook will be abandoned. General Custer's division of cavalry, which is now on the right of the army, will move up the Valley to-morrow morning.

JAS. W. FORSYTH,

Brevet Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, December 18, 1864.

General FORSYTH,
Chief of Staff:

From what command will the picket-line of the First and Second Divisions be replaced, and at what time will they be relieved?

GEORGE CROOK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, December 18, 1864.

Major-General CROOK:

Your picket-line will be abandoned and you will relieve your picket-line when General Duval moves. Please notify General Gorver when you withdraw General Duval's division.

JAS. W. FORSYTH,

Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, December 18, 1864.

Major-General CROOK,

Commanding Army of West Virginia:

Send Harris' division off at daylight, as directed in dispatch sent you by Lieutenant Kip, aide-de-camp. You will send General Duval's division to garrison the points that are now occupied by the two bri-

51 R R-VOL XLIII, PT II