repair. In this way communication may be cut off for six or seven days. A pontoon bridge can be railed as soon as the river begins to fall, and communication opened within a few hours.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

MAX WEBER,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, August 9, 1864.

Brigadier-General DUFFIE,

Hancock:

General Averell is now embarking his troops on the cars at New Creek and will be at Hancock to-morrow.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY,
Harper's Ferry, August 9, 1864.

Brigadier General A. N. DUFFIE,

Commanding First Cavalry Division, Hancock, Md.:

General Sheridan is at Harper's Ferry.

H. M. BURLEIGH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NEW CREEK, VA., August 9, 1864.

Major-General HUNTER:

I request that the department of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry at Beverly be relieved by Ohio National Guard and join the division.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, August 9, 1864-4 p. m.

Brigadier-General AVERELL,

New Creek:

General Duffie is at Hancock. Major-General Sheridan has been appointed to command all the troops in the three following departments: Department of West Virginia, the Middle Department, and the Department of the Susquehanna, with headquarters at Harper's Ferry.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, August 9, 1864-4 p. m.

Brigadier-General AVERELL,

New Creek:

Captain Harrison could not leave to-day. Make requisition on his agent at New Creek, Mr. Winants, for whatever you may need. Have the cars arrived from the west to transport your troops? Mr. Lyon,