the orders from Major-General Torbert, to arrest smugglers and deserters, and not to interfere with loyal citizens in their business transactions.

JNO. D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
December 14, 1864.

Major-General CROOK:

The party sent in the direction of Moorefield reports that the rebels at Moorefield went back to the Valley on Monday morning, and that it was a foraging party. Have you and news to-day? I have ordered the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry at Martinsburg, 700 strong, to report to General Kelley at Cumberland.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully referred to General Kelley for his information, and for any late information he may have.

ROBT. P. KENNEDY,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

DECEMBER 14, 1864-5.30 p. m.

Respectfully returned.

I have no intelligence of the movements or position of the enemy later than has been communicated.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brevet Major-General.

CUMBERLAND, December 14, 1864.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Kernstown, Va.:

The following is just received from New Creek;

Citizens just arrived from near Petersburg persist in saying that there is a rebel force of about 1,000 at Petersburg gathering everything that can walk. I cannot say whether this is correct or not. I give it for your consideration.

R. E. FLEMING,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

Colonel Fleming has been ordered to send out a scouting party to ascertain if this report is true.

GEORGE CROOK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,

[December] 14, 1864. (Received 9.10 a. m.)

General CROOK:

I think it is more than probable that there is a foregoing party of rebels about Petersburg and that they will drive off some stock and