Tobacco River, and 10,000 or 20,000 at Fort Monroe. The times of starting could be arranged so that the times of arrival should be as desired. Probably it would be better to have more than one point of debarkation. As soon as the first column was landed the transports could go immediately to Annapolis or Baltimore for more. The arrangements give no indications of the intended point of attack. They threaten the Potomac, or Norfolk, or the Southern coast, as much as or more than the Rappahannock. I presume there would be no difficulty in sending our steamers down to Port Tobacco; whether there would be in towing the barges there, I do not know. This Potomac column does not satisfy me as well as the others, for the collection of troops at Port Tobacco, in connection with collecting at Fort Monroe and Annapolis, would rather indicate an operation in the Lower Chesapeake. Distance of points mentioned: Urbana to Annapolis, 120 miles; Port Tobacco, 90 miles; Fort Monroe, 60 miles. Respectfully submitted. J. G. BARNARD, Chief Engineer, Army of the Potomac. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, U. S. Service, Commanding, &c.: SIR: The General-in-Chief desires you to order Lander's brigade, as soon as it receives arms, to re-enforce General Kelley at Romney, Va. I am, sir, &c., L. THOMAS, HEADQUARTERS HOOKER'S DIVISION, Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Maryland, December 2, 1861. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: The rebels within the last day or two appear to be more active than they have been for some weeks past. New encampments have been formed and additional earthworks have been thrown up above and below me. I am informed that a regiment has within this time encamped opposite Indian Head, and that lines of new intrenchments are visible in that vicinity. Additional encampments have also been formed below, and about Cockpit Point they are also unusually active. We have not heard from the batteries to-day. The New Jersey Regiments will be encamped in close proximity and along the ridge of high ground making up from the Chicamaxen. Bunting's battery, ordered to my command by Special Orders, No. 154, dated Headquarters Army of the Potomac, November 23, 1861, and which I was informed by the chief of artillery would leave Washington on Thursday last, has not yet joined. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 43 R R-VOL V JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Wheeling, Va., December 3, 1861.. His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN: At the instance of Governor Peirpoint I have drawn up the inclosed petition, and, concurring heartily in the measure, I submit the following in support of the same, outside of what the petition contains. It will, if granted, inspire the people with confidence, where all is now doubt and terror. That a river, populous on either bank, is not a proper boundary of departments (military) when war exists. That concert of action in the conterminous counties of Kentucky and Virginia are absolutely neces sary to a complete success in the prosecution of the war in that region. That no additional expense will be incurred, as the regiments are now in the service. That the commanders of the departments from which the proposed one is to be made will have ample fields remaining in which to act, nor feel the excision of the new one. That the Virginians will lose their sectional prejudices when mingling with their Kentucky neighbors, and carry home to them that they are fighting their friends and associates and those allied to them by similar habits and feelings. That we can erect the civil government of West Virginia, when it is impossible to do so under existing state of things. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Inclosure.] To His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, H. I. SAMUELS, Adjutant-General of Virginia. President of the United States: Please take the map of Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. You will find the most southern portion of Ohio near the junction of these three States, at which point the Big Sandy River, a river navigable for steamers at this season for 60 miles, almost due south, in the direction of the Great Southwestern Railroad and East Tennessee, enters the Ohio River, and which forms the common boundary of Virginia and Kentucky for a hundred miles. Running parallel with the Big Sandy River is the Guyandotte on the east, and Little Sandy River and Tygart's Creek on the west, all emptying into the Ohio, and all traversing an exceedingly mountainous region of country. That part of the territory of Virginia watered by the Guyandotte and the Sandy Rivers is in a state of perfect anarchy, no one claiming to hold a civil office, and a perfect terrorism paralyzes every effort to restore law and order in that region; and such will be the state of the country as long as the rebel chiefs (Jenkins and Clarkson) are permitted to remain in that region and make their periodic raids through the same at pleasure. The people are divided in sentiment, but would flock to that power that would inspire confidence that they would be protected. The people of Kentucky, on the waters of the Sandy, Little Sandy, and Tygart's Creek are mostly loyal, and have raised two entire regiments of men, now ready for service; and the people, in their manners, customs, habits, feelings, and prejudices much like the people in the region of Virginia referred to, and the same similarity in the geographical features of the country exists. This region of country has been neglected by the Federal generals, because of its being the dividing line between the Departments of Kentucky and Western Virginia, and because the character of the warfare required too much detail and division of troops to occupy the time and attention of the commanders of departments, and we are satisfied that a general who would avail himself of the peculiar characteristics of the inhabitants would do more to clear that region of rebellion than large armies directed by military science and skill. The valleys of the Saudy and the Guyandotte have been highways through which the rebels have introduced arms and munitions of war ever since the rebellion started to their armies menacing the camps at Gauley and Sewell Mountain. We believe a brigadier, with latitudinous powers, if possessed of shrewdness, a capacity to seize and avail himself of the occurrences passing, with the mental constitution and mannerism to inspire the people with respect and confidence, not hampered or thwarted by officers near him, would, with the military material now there and which he could gather, clear the country of roving banditti now infesting it, and restore civil government, law, and order. We therefore pray your excellency to erect a new military department, to be called the Department of Big Sandy; commit it to the charge of a brigadier-general, to take command of the Fourth and Fifth Virginia Volunteer Infantry; the First Virginia Volunteer Cavalry; the volunteers in Kentucky, in the region described-being the regiments commanded by Hon. L. T. Moore and Colonel Wilson-and that the region of country named, together with such adjacent counties in Ohio, be the bounds of such new department. And as in duty bound will ever pray, &c. F. H. PEIRPOINT, Governor of Virginia, By H. I. SAMUELS, Of Ohio. HEADQUARTERS HOOKER'S DIVISION, Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Maryland, December 6, 1861. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: I have to-day dispatched a squadron of the Third Indiana Cavalry to take post at Millstone Landing, with instructions to radiate from that point in all directions and at all times, and to visit all places deserving of notice lying near the coast between Port Tobacco and Lookout. The command is under Major Chapman, of that regiment. They will intercept all contraband trade and correspondence, and arrest persons concerned in it, and all traitors, and send them under guard to camp. For this service I prefer cavalry to infantry, for they move with more celerity, and can do more service than three times the number on foot. They can encounter no resistance in this part of Maryland they cannot overcome, and by moving rapidly they inspire more fear than can a column of infantry. With the roads in their present condition it is of great consequence to detach the smallest possible force necessary, from the difficulty in supplying them. I have a cavalry company also doing picket duty from Smith's Point to Port Tobacco. This makes a continuous line of pickets along the shores of the Potomac from Mattawoman Creek to Cape Lookout. They may not be able to cut off all intercourse across the Potomac; this I cannot expect; but they will arrest some, and defeat the plans of many. I have nothing new to report of my command or of the enemy. JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. WASHINGTON, December 6, 1861. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding Army of the Potomac, &c.: GENERAL: It appears probable that our available appropriations will not suffice to complete entirely the defensive works about Washington. Forty-eight different works, some of which, like Forts Ethan Allen, Runyon, and Lyon, are of very large size, extensive abatis, &c., have been constructed, and many of them, besides the usual magazines, are provided with extensive bomb-proofs for quarters. For these constructions the sum of $344,053.46 has been available. It is probable that this sum will not entirely suffice, and that it will be more than exhausted by the close of the present month. 1 therefore request that an application be made to Congress for the immediate appropriation of the sum of $150,000 for completing the defenses of Washington. You are aware that while hired labor has been extensively employed south of the Potomac, the works north of the river have been almost exclusively constructed by it. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. G. BARNARD, Brigadier-General and Chief Engineer, Army of Potomac. HEADQUARTERS, DIVISION AT FREDERICK, Brig. Gen. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff: DEAR SIR: The division is well camped in the vicinity of Frederick, in good position, and with plenty supplies of all kinds. We are on the different lines of railway and turnpike, and can move in any direction in full force at a moment's notice. I returned last evening from a visit to Sandy Hook and Harper's Ferry. The town is a picture of desolation. In the interior the rebels are active and their scouts on the move constantly. They are now endeavoring to put the railway from Winchester to Harper's Ferry in working condition if possible. General Jackson is fortifying Winchester as far as he is able and calling in the militia to strengthen his forces, which do not now exceed 5,000 or 6,000. General Carson is said to be at or near Berkeley Springs, with about 1,500 men. They are sensitive to the chances of an attack by our forces, and I do not think that they are likely to disturb General Kelley at present. Colonel Leonard is in connection with General Kelley before this, but we have not heard from him yet. Reports in Loudoun County, Virginia, represent that 9,000 or 10,000 men have been drawn south from Manassas. The canal is now open to navigation. We were told that boats with coal were near Harper's Ferry yesterday on the way to Georgetown, and that 1,000 tons daily would soon be sent to the town for public and private use. The opening of the railway is a feasible project, but it will require the whole force of our division to protect the work. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, Major-General, Commanding Division. Brigadier-General MARCY: WASHINGTON, D. C., December 7, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report concerning the facilities for passing troops across the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, Williamsport, &c. At Harper's Ferry the river is about 600 feet wide. The Maryland shore is of difficult access, owing to the canal bank, being nearly 20 feet high and supported by masonry. The Virginia shore is in like manner difficult, owing to the embankments of the arsenal yard, which are supported by masonry. There is a lock leading from the canal into the Potomac a short distance below the remains of the railroad bridge; at low water usually from 4 to 6 feet, but rises very rapidly on sudden rains to a height of 26 feet. The difficulties of a bridge at this point are the approaches. Passing up the river about 1 mile to the Government dam the river widens a little, but the Virginia shore is of a much easier access, and the country road leading from Harper's Ferry to Charlestown can be reached by passing one-half mile over a country road. The Maryland shore at this point must be reached by passing a short distance upon the tow-path of the canal, which is sufficiently wide for one track but difficult for two. There is also a lock leading into the Potomac at this place. As directed, I consulted Captain Duane (Colonel Alexander being ill), and learn that the pontoon bridge at the Eastern Branch is serviceable, and can be sent to any point you may direct. The bridge, being of India rubber, is not very stable and is easily damaged. I would respectfully suggest a bridge supported by canal-boats instead. There is a sufficient number of boats in the canal, and lumber of suitable size can be procured at Baltimore or Cumberland on very short notice. The bridge-builders of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad can without doubt be procured to do the work. The boats can be locked into the river and anchored in their places immediately. A At Williamsport the river is of nearly the same width as at Harper's Ferry; current not rapid; approaches on either shore of easy access. small ferry-boat of a few tons burden plies by means of a wire cable from shore to shore. A bridge supported by two flat-boats, such as are found in nearly every level of the canal, would enable from 300 to 500 men to cross at once. There being no lock between Dams Nos. 4 and 5, the boats must be moved from the canal by means of a derrick or like machinery. Plank can be procured at different points on the canal—at |