F. Sigel, July 5, 1864—11 p. m

(Received 10.15 a. m. July 6.) A part of the enemy’s cavalry is this evening at Boonsborough and on this side of Antietam Creek, on the Sharpsburg road. I expect an attack of the enemy in front and rear to-morrow. F. SIGEL, Major-G iF ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. 8. ARMY. bape MARYLAND HEIGHTS, July 5, 1864—11 p. m. GENERAL: Since my dispatch* of this a. m. affairs have not changed much. Iam occupying Maryland Heights with two old and three Ohio National Guard regiments, and two battalions of Fifth New York Heavy Artillery. The cavalry is in Pleasant Valley, having just returned from the direction of Berlin, where the rebels cut the road and wires yesterday. The enemy shows no large force in Harper’s Ferry, although they move backward and forward in squads constantly; their line of sharpshooters occupy Harper’s Ferry along the river. The enemy’s cavalry is this evening reorted to be at Boonsborough and south of Antietam Creek, partly Leacautod, picking up horses. The bridges on the railroad are probably destroyed from Duffield’s Station to Cherry Run. To the atter place the troops from the west can probably come by rail, From what we see the enemy has left his main infantry force near Harper’s Ferry and has sent his cavalry to our rear. The enemy is reported this evening as having brought a battery on Loudoun Heights. My train brought from Martinsburg I had ordered to Frederick. On the approach of the enemy by the Boonsborough road the commanding officer at Frederick had ordered the train toward Hanover, Major-General. Major-General HunTER, Parkersburg. Sanpy Hook, Va., July 6, 1864. (Received 1.15 p. m.) The main force, which is variously reported from 20,000 to 30,000 men, is crossing at Antietam Ford and Shepherdstown. There is no doubt about its being a large force. The cavalry is now attacking our advance, which is three miles from here, on the Sharpsburg road. My troops are preparing for action. It may be that the principal force of Ate enemy are striking for the interior, but I do not think it to be the case. The enemy crossed continually for forty hours. F. SIGEL, Major-General. MaryLaNnpD Heiauts, Mp., July 6, 1864—12 p. m. (Received 10 a. m. 7th.) I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Secretary of War’s dispatch.+ On leaving Martinsburg all stores not brought off were ordered to be burned, which, to the best of my knowlege, has been promptly done. This includes some private baggage stored at. Martinsburg. The entire stores might have been brought off if the * None to Hunter found, but see dispatch of that hour to Adjutant-General, p. 176. + Calling for report. See, of same date, in Correspondence, &c., Part I. 12 R R—VOL XXXVII, PTI 178 OPERATIONS IN N. V. A., W. V. A., M. D., AND PA, = [Cuar. XLIXrolling-stock had been near enough to enable the railroad Se eat to send the cars, and have them off in twelve hours. The force here consists of two old regiments infantry, four of Ohio National Guard, about 2,500 dismounted cavalry, two battalions of heavy artillery, and twenty-six field guns. In Pleasant Valley there are the cavalry under General Stahel, about 1,000 effective, the two companies of ase acting as infantry, and one four-gun battery. General Stahel is ordered to make a demonstration on the enemy’s rear—that is, in my immediate front—toward Sharpsburg. From a reconnaissance made to-day, and from their force displayed and observed from the mountains, the enemy numbers about 6,000 between here and Antietam Creek. They have shown a disposition to attack to-night or to-morrow, for which I am fully prepared, although the infantry is, with exception of two regiments and the heavy artillery, not very reliable. The enemy has a pontoon bridge near Antietam Ford over the Potomac River, as reported by scouts sent on the mountain.

F. SIGEL,