W. B. Kelley to Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, October 18, 1863

Captain Batterson, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, reports having seen about 30 rebel cavalry about 8 miles from here, while on his way in charge of train from Washington to this post, via Annandale. He reported to Colonel Baker’s command. A private of same regiment has been captured last evening about 3 miles from here toward Centreville. MICHAEL CORCORAN, Brigadier-General. FairFax Court-Hovuss, VaA., October 18, 1863. (Received 12.40 p. m.) Lieutenant-Colonel TAYLor, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Adjutant-General: The following received from Colonel Lowell, at Vienna: OCTOBER 18. We have taken one of Mosby’s men this morning, who says that Mosby, with 275 men, is prowling around below here to take supply trains. It will be well to delay all wagon trains without heavy escort till something more definite is learned about Mosby’s movements. If you could post strong infantry pickets at points between here and Fairfax, Mosby might be ambushed on his way back. C. R. LOWELL, Jr. I will communicate the above to General Buford, commanding cavalry, and General Griffin, commanding corps, now stationed here. Ihave just learned that a company of our cavalry has been attacked about 3 miles from here toward Alexandria, and the captain captured. MICHAEL CORCORAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. WaR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 18, 1863—2 p. m. Major-General .CoucH, Chambersburg, Pa.: The enemy has appeared in some force at Charlestown. Your troops will move down in supporting distance of Harper’s Ferry, so as to re-enforce Maryland Heights, should the enemy cross the river. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HARPER’S FERRY, W. Va4., October 18, 1863—1l a.m. (Received 1.40 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. Hauueck, General-in-Chief : I will be prepared to defend Harper’s Ferry. Imboden this morning surprised Charlestown and dispersed or captured the force stationed there. The field officers all escaped somehow. I have ordered two regiments and my cavalry to ascertain the movements of the enemy, and whether Imboden is attempting a raid on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I can furnish information by 12 o’clock. JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General. CAMDEN StTaTION, Baltimore, October 18, 1863. (Received 2.45 p. m.) Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and At 10.45 a. m. I received telegram from General Sullivan stating: Our forces were driven out of Charlestown by Imboden’s forces, I will occupy it again to-day. Our loss I cannot tell. At 11.45 a. m. the following: I have driven Imboden out of Charlestown. Major Cole is pursuing. The Ninth Beryand Infantry is captured. The enemy is retreating in the direction of Berrye. JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General. Deserters from Imboden report at Martinsburg that White and Gilmor are with him, and that the aggregate is 3,500, all cavalry, and also near Bath. Can Harper’s Ferry be re-enforced from Baltimore or Washington? Have you any information of movements of Lee’s army toward or into Shenandoah whee Ne President. Washington, ° October 18, 1863—2.15 p. m. JOHN W. GARRETT, Baltvmore: Any reliable information that I receive that will be useful to you will be communicated. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. WaR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 18, 1863—11 a. m. Brigadier-General KELLEY, Clarksburg, W. Va., and General SULLIVAN, Harper’s Ferry, W. Va.: It is reported that the enemy’s trains are passing through Thoroughfare, Hopewell, and Aldie Gaps. It is supposed that he is aiming at Harper’s Ferry or to cross the Potomac. Every effort should be made to reconnoiter these movements and to defend Harper’s Ferry. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. CLARKSBURG, W. V. A., October 18, 1863—3 p. m. (Received 5.30 p. m.) Brig. Gen. G. W. CuLLuM, Chief of Staff : The telegram of the General-in-Chief received. Have ordered General Sullivan to keep himself fully advised of the movements of the enemy, and if he is satisfied that he is moving into the valley or on Harper’s Ferry in force, to withdraw his troops from Martinsburg and adjacent posts on Baltimore and Ohio Here ey way of Williamsport or Shepherdstown, to Maryland Heights, and to hold the heights at all hazards. I may be cut off from. him, and _ unable to communicate or support him. With this view I have directed him to communicate direct with you, and to keep you fully advised. My judgment is clear that Maryland Heights should be heldif even approached by Lee’s whole army. If you concur, provision should be made to support Sullivan from the east if he is assailed. B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Wark DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 18, 1863—7?7 p. m. Brigadier-General KELLEY, Clarksburg, W. Va.: Should the whole of Lee’s army attack Maryland Heights, the place must be held until Meade’s army comes to the rescue. It can be so held, and if the officers fail to do so they should be hung. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HARPER’S FERRY, October 18, 1863. Col. L. B. PIERCE, Martinsburg: Imboden surrounded and captured most of the force* at Charlestown. Supposed he had about 1,000 or 1,200 infantry and cavalry, with some artillery. Put your house inorder. Notify Kearneysville to be on the alert.

W. B. KELLEY,