which you tails of information of the field works, &c., at W- All rebel troops, except pickets, have been withdrawn from Martinsburg and fallen back to Winchester. Rumor suggests two objects in this movement: the first is, that they contemplate moving to Richmond; the second is, that Jackson will move again on Romney. My own impression is that they stand at Winchester. The report of Mr. Faulkner's speech is confirmed by Colonel Leonard, who says it is undoubtedly correct. The day has been observed by all classes of people here; salutes were fired, and "the address" was read to a very large concourse of soldiers and citizens. The services were impressive, and will produce an excellent effect here. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, &c. HDQS. DIVISION, FREDERICK, MD., February 23, 1862. Brig. Gen. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff, &c.: GENERAL: My letter of Saturday missed the messenger by accident. It is forwarded to-day. We shall accomplish all contemplated under the march in my orders received this afternoon. If the pontoon train arrives to-morrow we shall occupy Harper's Ferry to-morrow night, and be on the road to Charlestown in the morning. It is expected Colonel Geary will seize the heights to-night. If the bridge is thrown across by Captain Duane we shall cross at night with 6,000 men, one regiment of cavalry, and 16 pieces of artillery. The cavalry will march the wagon roads, the artillery be divided between cars and road, as the weight is too great for travel at this season; their arrival will be delayed somewhat on this account. Colonel Leonard can cross at Williamsport with 1,900 men; General Williams, if not engaging the enemy witli General Lander, will have 3,000 more men; and should it prove that no encounter with the enemy at Bath or in that vicinity will take place, ought we not to put in execution the plan of attack on Winchester, if the anticipated battle does not occur outside? This is a favorable opportunity. The roads to Winchester are turnpikes and in tolerable condition, and the only roads that are passable. The enemy is weak, demoralized, and depressed. The result is sure, if we can compass the force contemplated in the conference with the General Commanding. In co-operation with General Lander. and General Burns, with the increase of artillery and a regiment of regular cavalry, we will not ask odds of fortune. Our force alone is not sufficient, but we will gladly risk it. I have the honor to be, with great respect, yours, &c., N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding Division. T. T. ECKERT, Washington: FEBRUARY 23, 1863. I consider a favorable morning for landing of more importance than the presence of the Ericsson. I would not wait for her. If the additional force is sent, will it not be advisable to include Fredericksburg in the programme? The force directed against the batteries will soon be at liberty to re-enforce the column directed against the last-named place. They can be landed at Fouke's, it being nearer than at Aquia Creek. I shall require fourteen landing planks, 4 feet wide and 16 feet long, with strong ropes 15 feet long fastened at each of the four corners. If practicable, I should like two more scows, similar to those now in use, as lighters. These should not be brought here, but left with the flotilla until called for. Please advise me what post Heintzelman will take. If the plan should embrace Fredericksburg, I should have a regiment of cavalry, in order by a night movement to destroy some of the bridges on the rebels' chief line of communication. Will endeavor to cross over one or two light batteries for the same object. JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, February 23, 1862—5 p. m. Colonel LEONARD, Commanding at Williamsport: SIR: Since you left information has been received that the enemy may attack Bath. If so, General Lander will give him battle and General Williams will co-operate with him. You will therefore make preparations to cross with Colonel Link and the Twelfth Indiana at Williamsport to-morrow (Monday) night. You will receive instructions tomorrow as to time. All the rest will proceed as agreed upon to-day. Please report progress to these headquarters and any information you have of enemy's movements. Very truly and respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. E. M. STANTON: N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. SANDY HOOK, February 26-10.20 p. m. The bridge was splendidly thrown by Captain Duane, assisted by Lieutenants Babcock, Reese, and Cross. It was one of the most difficult operations of the kind ever performed. I recommend Captaiu Duane to be made a major by brevet for his energy and skill in this matter; also Lieutenants Babcock, Reese, and Cross, all of the Corps of Engineers, to be captains by brevet. We have 8,500 infantry, 18 guns, and two squadrons of cavalry on the Virginia side. I have exam. ined the ground and seen that the troops are in proper positions and are ready to resist any attack. Loudoun and Bolivar Heights, as well as the Maryland Heights, are occupied by us. Burns' brigade will be here in a couple of hours, and will cross at daybreak. Four more squadrons of cavalry and several more guns pass here. Reports that G. W. Smith with 15,000 men is expected at Winchester. Colonel Geary deserves praise for the manner in which he occupied Virginia and crossed after the construction, of the bridge. We will attempt the canal-boat bridge to-morrow. The spirit of the troops is most excellent. They are in the mood to fight anything. It is raining hard, but most of the troops are in houses. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, SANDY HOOK, February 27-1 p. m. General R. B. MARCY: Do not send the regular infantry until further orders. Give Hooker orders not to move until further orders. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN. SANDY HOOK, February 27, 1862-3.30 p. m. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff: The difficulties here are so great that the order for Keyes' movement must be countermanded until the railway bridge is finished or some more permanent arrangement made. It is impossible to supply a large force here. Please inform Garrett at once. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, SANDY HOOK, February 27, 1862-3.30 p. m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War : The lift-lock is too small to permit the canal-boats to enter the river, so that it is impossible to construct the permanent bridge, as I intended. I shall probably be obliged to fall back upon the safe and slow plan of merely covering the reconstruction of the railroad. This will be done at once, but will be tedious. I cannot, as things now are, be sure of my supplies for the force necessary to seize Winchester, which is probably re-enforced from Manassas. The wiser plan is to rebuild the railroad bridge as rapidly as possible, and then act according to the state of affairs. General MCCLELLAN : GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, If the lift-lock is not big enough why cannot it be made big enough? Please answer immediately. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. SANDY HOOK, February 27-10.30 p. m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: It can be enlarged, but entire masonry must be destroyed and rebuilt, and new gates made; an operation impossible in the present stage of water and requiring many weeks at any time. The railroad bridge can be rebuilt many weeks before this could be done. General MARCY: Revoke Hooker's authority, in GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, SANDY HOOK, February 27, 1862. accordance with Barnard's opinion. Immediately on my return we will take the other plan, and push on vigorously. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General. BALTIMORE, February 27, 1862. General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Headquarters: Have this moment received the following dispatch from P. Willard, one of our supervisors of trains at Cumberland: "A man has just arrived here from Patterson's Creek, with the information that the bridge has been fired and was burning when he left." This bridge is within 8 miles of Cumberland, east. We fortunately have timber prepared in the vicinity. As the line is subject to raids, and the maintenance of these structures is most important to military movements as well as to our ability for repairs, pray order military guards on all important bridges west. Notwithstanding the very brief notice, we are much gratified to state that our arrangements are perfecting to accomplish fully your wishes as to movements of batteries, troops, &c. The cars for the service ordered this morning were concentrated through the night at Washington, and we confidently expect these movements to be prompt and effective. We will feel much obliged and relieved if you can telegraph us regarding bridges from Great Cacapon west. Mr. Heskit, who takes charge of reconstructing bridge at Harper's Ferry, has gone up on mail train; timber is also being unloaded. I trust you can grant him an interview soon after his arrival. J. W. GARRETT, President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. SANDY HOOK, February 27. J. W. GARRETT, Esq.: Will give orders to secure bridges. Glad to hear that your measures are so effective. General R. B. MARCY: GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General. BALTIMORE, February 27, 1862. I understand that the General Commanding directs that all the arrangements for transportation of troops from Washington be stopped, and that the movements will not take place until further notice. The General Commanding also telegraphs to send back all the troops that have started, which order I have communicated to Mr. Smith, now at Relay, in charge of transportation at that point. Shall the horses and artillery be ordered back? I have directed the trains held, awaiting your instructions regarding the latter. J. W. GARRETT, President. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., February 28, 1862-1 p. m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN: What do you propose to do with the troops that have crossed the Potomac ? EDWIN M. STANTON, SANDY HOOK, February 28, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON: Your dispatch received. I propose to occupy Charlestown and Bunker Hill, so as to cover the rebuilding of the railway, while I throw over the supplies necessary for an advance in force. I have just men enough to accomplish this. I could not at present supply more. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General. SANDY HOOK, February 28, 1862. (Received 9.30 p. m.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President: It is impossible for many days to do more than supply the troops now here and at Charlestown. We could not supply and move to Winchester for many days, and had I moved more troops here they would have been at a loss for food on the Virginia side. I know that I have acted wisely, and that you will cheerfully agree with me when I explain. I have arranged to establish depots on that side so we can do what we please. I have secured opening of the road. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR: I have received the following from General McClellan this morning: General R. B. MARCY: SANDY HOOK, February 27, 1862. It being impossible to build a bridge of canal-boats, as well as impossible to unload and take across the river with sufficient promptness the supplies needed by our large force, on account of the very limited space, I have determined on the course I indicated to the President and Secretary of War, viz, to cover the opening of the railway and the rebuilding of its bridges. In the mean time depots can be established, which will make an advance easy. But this requires time. The fact that caual-boats could not be used was ascertained only to-day, and I regarded the other projected operations as too important to be deferred for the time necessary to accomplish this, which can be done at any time hereafter, the railway being meanwhile opened. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. CHARLESTOWN, February 28, 1862-12.30 p. m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: I have decided to occupy this town permanently, and am arranging accordingly. I make other arrangements on the right which render |