R. F. Taylor to Stahel, May 5, 1864

General STAHEL:

There were about fifteen horses stolen from this post last night.

Lieut. THomas H. WELLSTED, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General :

I have the honor to report, for the information of Major-General Stahel, that I proceeded with the men under my command to Strasburg, arriving on the night of the 3d instant, scouting the country in every direction as far as Front Royal and Woodstock. Before arriving at Strasburg I learned that Imboden had left that place on Sunday evening, leaving behind Captain Davis with about 100 men, and a signal station on Round Top Mountain; subsequently ascertained that he left the pike three and a half mites this side of Woodstock, moving to the right, in direction of the mountain. Captain Davis left Woodstock about 9 o’clock on the night of the 3d instant, taking with him the telegraph operator, and leaving behind the signal men on Round Top Mountain, who were captured by my scouts the following morning. We also succeeded in capturing Major Calmese and 7 men, making 10 in all, among whom are some of the most notorious horse-thieves and bushwhackers in the country. I remained at Strasburg until 6 o’clock in the evening of the ath in-

stant, when I withdrew my pickets and scouts and returned to camp. I consider it my duty in connection with this report to make mention of the valuable services rendered by Captain Martindale and his scouts, to whom credit is due for the capture of nearly all the prisoners, and their untiring efforts to obtain all the information, many of them riding over sixty miles a day.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,-