HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., July 21, 1864-5 p. m.

(Received 6 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Wright moved east, via Snicker's Gap, last night. General Crook will move from Snicker's Ferry to Winchester, via Berryville, early in the morning, where he will effect a junction with Averell to drive ut any rebel force that may be at Winchester.

D. HUNTER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 21, 1864.

Captain G. M. ELLICOTT,

Fifteenth New York Calvary, Chief of Scouts:

Preparatory to you taking leave of us for a short time, I take this occasion to express to you my sincere thanks for the efficient services you have rendered me, during my late campaign in the Valley of Virginia, as chief of scouts at my headquarters, and the information that you have often obtained at great personal risk and danger has been very valuable to me and to our cause, and for your services yu deserve the thanks of all.

D. HUNTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 21, 1864.

Major General GEORGE CROOK,

Commanding Troops from Depot. of W. Va., in Shenandoah Valley:

GENERAL: Information has just been received from General Averell that he met the enemy on the evening of the 20th near Winchester and defeated them, killing and wounding 300 of them, capturing 200, and 4 pieces of artillery and several hundred stand of small-arms. General Lilley is wounded and in our hands. Colonel Board, Fifty-eighth Virginia, is killed. The enemy numbered about 5,000. General Averell's force was 2,350. A regiment of our cavalry (Fourteenth Pennsylvania) was at Berryville yesterday, capturing some prisoners. Please inform General Wright. As soon as his train arrives we will dispatch it at once with a duplicate supply of provisions, the amount he required having been already forwarded by our own trains from this post.

The above by direction of Major-General Hunter:

[P. G. BIER,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 21, 1864.

Brigadier General GEORGE CROOK,

Commanding Troops from Dept. of W. Va., near Berryville:

GENERAL: Your dispatch of yesterday was received. The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that the ammunition