5, 1864.
"GENERAL: Concentrate all your available force without delay in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons for public property as may be necessary.
"Use in this concentration the railroad, if by so doing time can be saved.

From Harper's Ferry, if it is found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in large force, push north, following and attacking him wherever found; following him, if driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so.

If it is ascertained that the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then push south the main force, detaching, under a competent commander, a sufficient force to look after the raiders and drive them to their homes.

In detaching such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route from Washington via Rockville may be taken into account.
"There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of the best of cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horses.
These will be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side of the Potomac.

One brigade will probably start to-morrow.
"In pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, as it is expected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return.