E. Frey to Franz Sigel, July 6, 1864

GENERAL: Your dispatch* of this p. m. received. General Stahel’s cavalry has been used to operate against the forces of the enemy that attempted a crossing of the Potomac below here. The prisoners taken report as belonging to Ewell’s old, now Early’s, corps. There seems to be no doubt that Major-General Gordon, Brigadier-Generals Bradley T. Johnson, McCausland, and Imboden are in command. I have ordered General Stahel to make a reconnaissance to-morrow and shall report promptly. The enemy in my front toward Sharpsburg is variously reported from 4,000 to 7,000 infantry, with cavalry and artillery. Iam expecting an attack to-night or early to-morrow from indications obtained by a reconnaissance today. F. SIGEL, Major-General. Major-General HunTER, Parkersburg, W. Va.

MARYLAND HeEIGuHTs, Mp., July 7, 1864—6 a. m. (Received 12.20 p. m.) Yesterday the enemy advanced closely to our lines on the north, and intended an attack with one brigade of infantry against our left, where our lines were the weakest. His attack was frustrated by a counter attack from our right. The enemy showed an extensive line from the Potomac to Elk Ridge Mountain. Besides his skirmishers no large columns were visible. There were avout 3,000 infantry in our front. Five thousand more were reported moving

against us from Antietam Creek. During yesterday 600 of General Stahel’s cavalry advanced against the enemy from Pleasant Valley, through Solomon’s Gap, and met the enemy on the west side of EIK Ridge Mountain, about five miles from here. For to-day I ordered General Stahel with his whole cavalry, and with the 200 artillery armed as infantry, and four pieces of artillery from Pleasant Valley, to move to Rohrersville. Our lines on the north of our position are engaging the enemy now. An immense train of the rebels was yesterday in sight near Shepherdstown. Prisoners taken were of the Twelfth Georgia Regiment. F. SIGEL,

MaRYLAND HeEtauHts, Mp., July 7, 1864—2 p. m. (Received 6 p. m.)

The following information received I deem reliable : Early commands the raiding force, composed of four divisions—Gordon’s division, Rodes’, and Ramseur’s. The cavalry is commanded by Major-General Ransom, composed of McCausland’s mounted infantry, Jones’ and Jenkins’ cavalry. Two divisions infantry are in my immediate front toward Sharpsburg. Four divisions are on opposite side of Potomac River. Prisoners taken belong to Evang’, formerly Hays’, brigade, in Early’s old division. There is no doubt about the enemy concentrating against us. A prisoner saw Early, Breckinridge, and Gordon together yesterday. All disposable troops should be sent here, my troops consisting of over two-thirds

of 100-days’ men. F. SIGEL,

HARPER’S FERRY, July 8, 1864. (Received 3 p. m.)

The following report from my advance just received :

ANTIETAM BRIDGE, M. D., Five Miles from Maryland Heights, July 8, 1864—11.30 a, m. Major-General SIGEL :

I engaged the enemy’s rear guard of cavalry at this place, and we command the bridge. The enemy’s main force took the Boonsborough road leading to the right of John Brown’s school-house. I have only forty cavalry at this place, and cannot advance, as the enemy seems to be in force.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,