us secure. You will be satisfied when I see you that I have acted wisely and have everything in hand. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General. BALTIMORE, February 28, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON: I have the pleasure of informing you that the reconstruction of the bridge over Patterson's Creek was completed at 1 this a. m., and the road is again in order to Hancock. J. W. GARRETT, President. CHARLESTOWN, VA., February 28, 1862-2 p. m. General F. W. LANDER : Move with least possible delay on Martinsburg, whither Williams is also ordered at once. When you hold command in hand occupy Bunker Hill, and open your communication with this place. Cause repairs of railroad to be pushed as rapidly as possible, so as to draw your supplies from the West. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, HEADQUARTERS HOOKER'S DIVISION, Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Maryland, February 28, 1862. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac : GENERAL: I received last evening the instructions of the Major-General Commanding to suspend my movement across the river until further orders. Of course it is not for me to know or inquire for influences at work to bring about this suspension. I am permitted to state that almost every officer returning from Washington during the past week has communicated to me the fact that my command was to cross and attack the batteries, and it was even announced several days since in the Baltimore Clipper. Colonel Dwight returned last evening, and assured me that he was informed of it by Mr. Garett, I think of the Judge-Advocate's Office, at the breakfast table some days previous. For these reasons it ought no longer to be considered as an adventure of strictly a private character. I have found but one opportunity to experiment with the Whitworth guns. From that I am satisfied that they are unrivaled pieces for accuracy of shooting and length of range. Should have gone out with them again to-day but for the high wind; it blows a gale. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. Abstract from return of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, for the month of February, 1862. Major-General BANKS, Harper's Ferry: The enemy unusually demonstrative on their line of pickets to-day, exhibiting both infantry and cavalry, also six baggage wagons opposite Mason's Island. They shelled us from their position opposite Edwards Ferry and at Ball's Bluff this afternoon, but discontinued as soon as we replied. There were smokes in their camps. These demonstrations may be for a blind, but I am unable to assert it positively. N. J. T. DANA, S. F. BARSTOW, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Assistant Adjutant-General, Camp Chase, Paw Paw: During the illness of General Lander let the next officer in rank assume command and move the available troops on Martinsburg via Hedgesville, covering construction of roads as troops advance. General Williams will be in Martinsburg with some 5,000 men. It is desirable to have the troops of General Lander's command in Martinsburg with least possible delay. Sufficient guards must be left to cover the railroad. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 23. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, A. G. O., I. The eastern limits of the Department of Western Virginia are extended so as to embrace the valleys of the South Branch of the Potomac and of the Cow Pasture Branch of James River, the valley of the James River to the Balcony Falls, the valley of the Roanoke west of the Blue Ridge, and the New River Valley. The eastern boundary of the said department will be then as follows: Commencing at the north, the Flinstone Creek, in Maryland; the South Branch Mountain; Town Hill Mountain; Branch Mountain, or Big Ridge; the North, or Shenandoah Mountain; Purgatory Mountain; Blue Ridge; Alleghany Mountains to the borders of North Carolina. By command of Major-General McClellan: L. THOMAS, Brig. Gen. JOHN SEDGWICK: CHARLESTOWN, March 4, 1862. DEAR SIR: General Williams, commanding third brigade of my division, has probably reached Martinsburg. My belief is that he ar rived there with his full force last night; if so, he has at his command 5,000 troops, and will probably to-day move on and occupy Bunker Hill. This by order of General McClellan. As soon as be moves we shall place ourselves in supporting distance and stand ready to advance upon Winchester at any moment. I desire you to place your division within supporting distance of Berryville, to which point we shall direct our force. It will give me pleasure to confer with you and your officers, if you please, either here or at Harper's Ferry as you please, and will do so upon the receipt of your answer. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HDQRS. TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT PA. VOLS., Maj. R. MORRIS COPELAND, Lovettsville, Va., March 4, 1862. Assistant Adjutant-General: SIR: In pursuance of the original intention of preventing the rebels who had infested this vicinity and that towards Leesburg from carrying out their designs of molesting our troops under transportation in trains on the Maryland side of the river, my command has held a firm and decided position at this point, keeping in check about 4,000 rebels who threatened us from Leesburg. It becomes necessary that I should hold this place a few days longer, as I have reliable information that the enemy has expressed a determination to attempt a repetition of their attacks upon the cars in the employ of our Government daily passing over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and by a bold dash put into execution a plan they have concocted to cross the river in boats and destroy a portion of the road and several viaducts, which would greatly cripple the progress on the main line of our operations. After consummating this their intention was to evacuate Leesburg and go farther south. A general expression of loyalty has transpired in this county, and joyous manifestations of fealty to the old Government have greeted us, and hundreds of the residents have come forward and claimed our protection from the dominion and obnoxious restrictions placed upon them by the rebel soldiery. So great has been the dependence on our power and willingness to protect them as people of the same Government and of sympathetic feelings, that it would seem almost cruel to abandon them in our withdrawal to the rage of those whom they have in their denunciations avowed as enemies. The remedy I would respectfully suggest is the taking of Leesburg, which I can accomplish with a slightly aug mented force. By doing this the whole of this section of Virginia will be free to declare its undoubted Union sentiment without molestation or fear. The rebels once driven from that point will fall back effectually, and rid a large circuit of this portion of the State of their despotism and rule of terror. I think they can be driven out of the county in a day or two, which would be very essential, as this valley is a golden granary, from which they have gathered many of their stores, and upon which the supplies for the troops in Centreville have been mainly dependent. I have materially intercepted their supply communication. I very respectfully tender these suggestions for your consideration and await a reply thereon, and would call your attention to their bear: ing upon my orders to report to the division as soon as possible after the enterprise upon which I am at present engaged has been completed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. W. GEARY, Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Pu. Vols., Comdg. CHARLESTOWN, VA., March 4, 1862. General R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff: General Williams is at Martinsburg, and will move upon Bunker Hill early. Our information is that the railroad will be open to Martinsburg by the middle of the week. We have no knowledge of the position of General Lander's forces. Letters intercepted yesterday from officers at Winchester to their families speak of expected withdrawal towards Strasburg; they are desponding in tone. General Dana observes no change in affairs at Leesburg. Hard storm yesterday; day clear and cold. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN VIRGINIA, Hon. FRANK P. BLAIR, Jr., Chairman Military Committee House of Representatives : SIR: Owing to the negligence of officers or their inability to control the men under their command, much property has been unnecessarily destroyed by the troops in this department. Fences and houses have been burned, horses seized and appropriated, without authority or warrant of necessity. Claims for property so taken or destroyed are almost daily presented to me. This state of affairs requires some stringent preventive measures. Some legal provision embodying the substance of the printed slips* which I have the honor to inclose would, I think, prove effectual. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army. HDQRS. TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT PA. VOLS., Lovettsville, Va., March 5, 1862. Maj. R. MORRIS COPELAND, Assistant Adjutant-General: SIR: Our scouts report this morning that 1,000 of the enemy, with artillery and 200 or 300 cavalry, have stationed themselves at Waterford, within 6 miles of us. General Smith's brigade, about 3,000 strong, is at Gum Spring. Union feeling is developing itself in great magnitude in this county and masses of people come to us daily, placing themselves under our protection. The cause of the rebels is openly reviled by them, and our location here is hailed by the people as the dawning of a new era. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. W. GEARY, Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Pa. Vols., Comdg. MARCH 5, 1862. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS: Have received General Marcy's telegram. Will make every possible effort to accomplish his wishes. I can find persons to attempt it, but have many doubts as to their being able to get on shore. The enemy's pickets are extremely vigilant. Sickles sends me word that the rebels have been re-enforced by four regiments to-day. Do not know whether it is so or not. Will ascertain early in the morning from the balloon and let you know, if the weather is propitious. JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. HDQRS. GENERAL BANKS' DIVISION, * 6. Brig. Gen. C. S. Hamilton will put his brigade in readiness and march towards Smithfield, with one battery of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, to-morrow morning, March 6, 1862, as early as practicable. General Hamilton will take position in the vicinity of Smithfield wherever in his judgment he will be in supporting distance of Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams, now at Bunker Hill. As soon as he shall have started he will send forward messengers to General Williams announcing his approach and his orders. Should circumstances compel him to advance to the support of General Williams, he will, as senior brigadier, assume command of the brigades. By command of Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks: R. MORRIS COPELAND, *Not found. |