Today in History:

761 Series I Volume XLIII-II Serial 91 - Shenandoah Valley Campaign Part II

Page 761 Chapter LV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
December 8, 1864.

Colonel T. M. HARRIS,

Commanding First Infantry Division:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you move early to-morrow morning your brigade now on the left of the line to the position which will be vacated at daylight to-morrow morning by the Second Division of the Sixth Army Corps. You will hold the same picket-line as the one now held by that division.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. McKINLEY, JR.,

Captain and Acting Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
December 8, 1864.

Major WILLIAM RUSSELL, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry:

MAJOR: The patrols for the day are in, and report all quiet. Pickets were seen at Brick Mill Ford, supposed to belong to Mosby. Several parties were seen by all the patrols. The patrol to Front Royal was told by citizens that the enemy's cavalry was encamped south of Rappahannock Mountain, in how large force they could not learn.

Respectfully, &c.,

WM. B. TIBBITS,

Brevet Brigadier-General.


HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
December 8, 1864.

General CUSTER:

General Torbert desires you to send out two or three regiments at daylight, or a little before, in the morning, to ascertain what force of and the meaning of the enemy's picket-line on the south side of Cedar Creek. He also directs that your pickets and patrols be very vigilant during the night, that the enemy do not get in on them, in case there is any force there.

Very respectfully, &c.,

WM. RUSSELL, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Let them advance by both roads.


HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
December 8, 1864.

General CUSTER:

Pursuant to instructions received from the major-general commanding the Middle Military Division the chief of cavalry directs that you send a force of two regiments, one up the grade road and one up the Back or Middle road, to verify the report that there is a strong picket-line of the enemy established on the ridge on the south side of Cedar.


Page 761 Chapter LV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.