A. F. Duncan to R. F. Tayior, May 6, 1864
Commanding First Cavalry Division:
CoLoNnEL: I have the honor to report that I proceeded with nine men, leaving camp at 7.30 o’clock last evening, to ascertain the truth of the report made to these headquarters of a force of rebels at or near ‘Berryville. I proceeded by the dirt road leading toward Salem Church, thence down the Opequon to the toll-house near the Opequon, on the Berryville pike, where I found the detachment of the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry halted, which had been sent to Halltown. Just before my arrival at that point the pickets had been fired upon. I proceeded out on the Berryville pike about one mile beyond, then taking the fields and woods on the right, went to near Berryville, but without finding any enemy. I ascertained from reliable sources that no force of the enemy was in that vicinity. Small parties numbering from five to eight had been seen through the day, which was undoubtedly the party that fired on the pickets. Leaving the camp of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry about 12 o’clock, I went toward Summit Point about two miles, thence on the left of the pike to Winchester, arriving at camp about 2 o’clock this a. m. All the inhabitants confirm the above statement of small parties of bushwhackers,
‘ JESSE F. WYCKOFF, LIteutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Hpgrs. PARES SSPE RSE CAVALRY, unker Hill, Va., May 6, 186 Col. R. F. Tayior, ea si
Commanding Cavalry Division:
CoLonEL: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your orders I’moved my command to this place yesterday evening. I sent a commissioned officer and twenty-five men by Jordan Springs thence across the country to this place. There was no sign of any enemy, and no information of any importance gained. I also sent a commissioned officer by the Green Spring Run road to White Hill, where the Bunker Hill road and Pughtown road crosses the Green Spring Run road at right angle, from thence to. this place. From the best information the officer could gain (and he considered it reliable, having met the gentleman from whom he obtained the information before) there had been no rebel soldiers through that part of the country except deserters for some time.
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient