Cavalry, who picket a mile out on each road. I sent out a party to scout the Chester road, and another the road to Markham Station and Upperville, for four miles out. They returned at daylight, having seen and heard nothing. I then sent a party with orders to reach Sandy Hook, if possible. They got within half a mile of the place, and succeeded in passing themselves as rebels from Amissville. Six hundred rebel cavalry arrived at Sandy Hook yesterday from up the valley. The Seventh Virginia is within two miles of Markham, and it is thought that Jackson will march down to the Grade road, on the ridge, to-day. They saw two rebel pickets who fled, when they thought it prudent to return, as they only numbered seven in the party. I also sent another party (Company A), under command of Captain Crocker (brother of Captain W. H.), with instructions to go to Markham, if possible, thence to Piedmont, Rectortown and Salem, and to send a detachment to Upperville, if prudent. I enclose his dispatch, just received. (Signed) Very respectfully, etc., THOS. C. DEVIN, Colonel Sixth New York Cavalry. ENCLOSURE HEADQUARTERS, Nov. 11th, 1862, 8.20 a.m. COLONEL T. C. DEVIN, Barbee's Crossroads. Colonel : Pursuant to your order, this command arrived at Markham about 7 this a.m. Found there Doctor Crawford, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and twenty enlisted men of Fifth United States and Sixth United States, paroled yesterday by officer in command of two squadrons, Second Virginia Cavalry (rebels). The headquarters of the regiment are within a mile or two northwest of Markham. Have one prisoner of Seventh Virginia, captured while riding through Markham, visiting. Lieutenant Easton does not go to Upperville. There is no infantry (rebels) about here, but every hill, and there are many, is infested with guerrillas, so says Doctor Crawford. Will go on to Salem and meet your command there. Expect to fall in with some rebel pickets on this road. G. A. CROCKER, Captain Sixth New York Cavalry. (Signed) Nov. 12th. The regiment moved early in the morning and marched to Bolivar Crossroads, and then returned to Waterloo, a small town about eight miles west from Warrenton. Troop I was sent out on a scout to feel the enemy. Nov. 13th. The news reached camp that General McClellan had been superseded by General Burnside in command of the Army of the Potomac. One squadron went out on picket near Waterloo. Nov. 14th-Part of one squadron was sent on a reconnoissance at 5 a.m. and learned that the enemy was in some force at Jefferson. Nov. 15th.-Regiment moved to near Sulphur Springs, where the enemy shelled our wagon train, but Benjamin's battery soon drove them off. HEADQUARTERS SIXTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, WARRENTON, Nov. 15th, 1862. MAJOR-GENERAL PARKE, chief of staff. General: In accordance with instructions, I left this place. at 2 p.m. yesterday with four troops of my regiment, and proceeded to Salem, where I arrived at nightfall and established my headquarters. I picketed the roads leading to Barbee's Crossroads, to Piedmont, to Rectortown and to White Plains. I then ordered Captain Van Buren with Troop M to proceed to White Plains, and send detachments to communicate with the pickets of General Sigel at Thoroughfare Gap, Hopewell and Aldie. This duty was correctly executed, except that the part sent to Aldie lost the road and went to Middleburg. Captain Van Buren reports General Steinwehr at the gap, and one Ohio regiment at Hopewell. No force at White Plains, Middleburg or Aldie. Before daybreak I sent detachments to scout to Piedmont and Rectortown, who report no force there, except straggling guerrillas. I also sent Captain Sheldon with Troop G to the left, to communicate with the force at Barbee's Crossroads (General Pleasanton's and General Wilcox's). He reports the squadron at Barbee's has left; also, that Generals Pleasanton and Wilcox had left; he could not ascertain whereto. He found one squadron (Eighth Pennsylvania) at Orleans. Sixteen of White's rebel cavalry entered Salem, day before yesterday, and captured some of our stragglers. They said they were going to Paris. You will observe that I succeeded in establishing communication between our forces on the extreme right and General Sigel's lines, thus covering the whole rear. Was unable to hear of any force of the enemy except that there was a strong force at Front Royal. (Signed) Very respectfully, etc., THOS. C. DEVIN, Colonel Commanding Sixth New York Vol. Cavalry. Nov. 16th.-"Boots and saddles" sounded before daylight. Whipple's division moved out, Companies I and L acting as rear guard. Arrived at Warrenton at 4 p.m. and encamped. The regiment was ordered to report to General Sickles at Manassas Junction to cover the movements of his division to Fredericksburg. Nov. 17th.-Left at daybreak and marched to Rappahannock Station. At night went into bivouac at Liberty, about two miles from Bealeton Station. The most of the troops that were around Warrenton had moved in the direction of Bealeton. It was rumored through the camp that Secretary Stanton would not |