Today in History:

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

Page 762 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LV.

Creek, at once. General Torberet directs that the commanding officer send in a report before daylight to-morrow a. m. It is important the major-general commanding should learn the result of this reconnaissance as early as possible. Give such directions to the commanding officers as will cause them to keep in communication with each other.

Very respectfully, &c.,

WM. RUSSELL, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
December 8, 1864.

Colonel A. C. M. PENNINGTON,

Commanding First Brigade:

COLONEL: The general commanding directs that you instruct the officer in command of your pickets to send a small scouting party at once on the heights near Cedar Creek, to discover whether there are any camp-fires in the direction of the enemy's pickets. Also that you send a patrol from the force at Fawcett's Gap of fifty men, under an officer, so as to reach Cedar Creek by daylight to-morrow. A similar patrol will be sent by Second Brigade at same hour. He directs that you have one regiment saddled and ready for any emergency at 6 o'clock to-morrow morning.

I am, very respectfully, &c.,

L. SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
December 8, 1864.

Colonel A. C. M. PENNINGTON,

Commanding First Brigade:

COLONEL: By direction of the chief of cavalry you will orders an officer with twenty men to capture some of Rosser's men a few miles south of Cedar Creek, who are reported to be at their homes. The guide, Morse, the bearer of this, will conduct the party. You can send the party from the force on picket at Fawcett's Gap.

By command of Brevet Major-General Custer:

L. SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
December 8, 1864-9 p. m.

Colonel A. C. M. PENNINGTON,

Commanding First Brigade:

COLONEL: Under instructions from the major-general commanding the army you will send out one regiment at once up the Back 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 Creek. Let the main body remain this side the creek, and instruct the officer in command to throw a party across to penetrate the country several miles and ascertain from the inhabitants whether a force of the enemy is in that


Page 762 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LV.