HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: I have the honor to report the following information relative to the forces and defenses of the Army of the Potomac obtained to this date, which has been extracted from current statements made here by spies, contrabands, deserters, refugees, and rebel prisoners of war, in the order of time as hereinafter indicated, and which at the time of reception were made the subject of special reports to you. I have also appended to this report extracts from statements, and have made the same a part of this report, a varied summary of the rebel forces and defenses of the line of the Army of the Potomac, showing by different combinations about the probable number of these forces and the locality and strength of their defenses. By reference to the summary of this report it will be seen that a medium estimate of the rebel army of the Potomac is 115,500, located as follows, viz: At Manassas, Centreville, Bull Run, Upper Occoquan, and vicinities, 80,000; at Brooke's Station, Dumfries, Lower Occoquan, and vicinities, 18,000; at Leesburg and vicinity, 4,500; in the Shenandoah Valley, 13,000. Of the above-mentioned forces information has been received up to date, as shown by summary in this report, of the following specific organizations, viz: At Manassas, Centreville, Bull Run, Upper Occoquan, and vicinity, sixty-one regiments and one battalion infantry; eight regi. ments, one battalion, and seven independent companies cavalry; thirtyfour companies artillery. At Brooke's Station, Dumfries, Lower Occoquan, and vicinities, eighteen regiments and one battalion infantry; one regiment and six independent companies cavalry, and fifteen companies artillery. In the Shenandoah Valley, twelve regiments infantry, two brigades militia, one regiment cavalry, seven companies artillery. At Leesburg, four regiments infantry, one regiment militia, five independ ent companies cavalry, and one company artillery. It is unnecessary for me to say that in the nature of the case, guarded as the rebels have ever been against the encroachment of spies and vigilant as they have always been to prevent information of their forces, movements, and designs from going beyond their lines, it has been impossible, even by the use of every resource at our command, to ascertain with certainty the specific number and character of their forces. It may, therefore, safely be assumed that in so large an army as our information shows them to possess very much of its composition and very many of its forces have not been specifically ascertained, which, added to those already known, would largely increase their numbers and considerably swell its proportions. The summary of the general estimates shows the forces of the rebel Army of the Potomac to be 150,000, as claimed by its officers and sanctioned by the public belief, and that over 80,000 were stationed at Centreville, Manassas, and vicinity, the remainder being within easy supporting distance. The statements of several reliable persons, who derived their information from the Commissary Department, show that in March, 1862, 80,000 daily rations were issued to the army at Manassas and Centreville; and the evidence is equally positive that each wing of the army, one in the Shenandoah Valley and the other on the Lower Potomac, had its sepa rate commissary department, and derived their supplies from other sources than did the main body at Manassas and Centreville. All of which, general, is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant, A deserter from the Sixth Louisiana Regiment states that he left Centreville about 25th December, 1861, and Manassas about January 7, 1862; that it was then understood that the rebel forces at Manassas, Centreville, and vicinity were about 60,000, under command of Generals Johnston, Beauregard, and Smith; that he got his information from a clerk in the rebel Commissary Department; that General Taylor's brigade, to which he belonged, was of General Smith's division, composed of Sixth Louisiana Regiment, Colonel Seymour, 840 men; Seventh Louisiana, Col. Harry Hays, 840 men; Eighth Louisiana Regiment, Colonel Kelly, 900 men, and battalion of Louisiana Tigers, five companies, under the command of Major Wheat; that the headquarters of Brigadier-General Van Dorn were near Union Mills, and his cavalry pickets extend to Fairfax Court-House; that General Early's brigade, near Bull Run, west of the railroad bridge, is composed of the Twentieth Georgia, Twenty-fourth Virginia, Thirteenth North Carolina, and two other regiments, with one battery-one of the regiments is commanded by Colonel Hope; that General Bonham's South Carolina brigade is on the new military road from Centreville to Union Mills, composed of five regiments and one battery; that General Cox's brigade is encamped near Centreville, on Manassas road, and includes the celebrated Eighth Virginia; that two brigades are located 2 miles from Centreville, on Stone Bridge road, and in one of them are the First Kentucky and Sixteenth Mississippi; that Stuart's cavalry brigade is near Stone Bridge, two of the regiments under command of Colonels Fields and Radford; that Washington Artillery, four companies, under Major Walton, guns mostly brass and rifled, four mortars, is stationed on east side of New Bull Run Bridge. Batteries.-That near General Bonham's brigade are four half-moon batteries; several forts on the heights about Centreville, no guns mounted on any of them; that logs shaped like guns, the outer ends painted black, are put into position to appear like guns from the outside, being covered with brush to hide the character of the "guns" and hinder revealment of true state of affairs; that informant knows this to be true, having helped to make and place in position these mock guns; that the log guns are on those forts only nearest this way outside Centreville; that there are no stationary guns east side of Bull Run. Heavy guns have been taken from Manassas batteries for the blockade on the Potomac; that General Rodes' brigade is near to mouth of Bull Run, on the Occoquan; in his brigade are the Fifth and Sixth Alabama Regiments and others not known; also the Black Horse Cavalry. Recapitulation of forces stated as being in vicinity of Manassas, Centreville, Union Mills, Stone Bridge, and Benson's Ford, to wit: General Taylor's brigade, General Bonham's brigade, General Early's brigade, General Cox's brigade; two brigades 2 miles west-southwest of Centreville; several regiments west side Bull Run; Stuart's cavalry brigade; General Rodes' brigade; Washington Artillery, four companies, 16 47 R R-VOL V guns. No troops known to have lately left for other parts of the country. Mostly in winter quarters. Troops well armed. Roads bad. Railroad from Manassas to Centreville progressing; 300 "miners" at work on it. Provisions plenty. Conclusion: Informant entitled to credit; his statement believed truthful. CHARLESTOWN, VA., March 8, 1862. General R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff, &c., Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: Inclosed you will please find a diagram of our positions on the base of the Smithfield road.* Our line extends from the Shenandoah to North Mountain substantially, and our pickets cover that line for 1 miles in front. We learn by dispatch from General Williams that General Shields' forces were to arrive at Martinsburg last night. If so, this will make our contemplated strength complete. Our troops are in good health and spirits, eager for work. I do not yet know General Shields' strength, and therefore cannot state our exact force. We have given out here that our chief object is the opening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway. Our troops are, however, pressing forward in the direction of Winchester, and will gradually press upon Winchester. Beyond the point we now occupy I have received no instructions from the Commanding General-whether we are to move on as a force destined to effect a specific object by itself or to perform a part in combined operations. I shall be glad to receive more specific instructions. If left to our own discretion, the general desire will be to move on early. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding Division. HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, March 8, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR: The police commissioners appointed by the legislature of Mary. land under the late act reorganizing the police of this city called on me last evening and announced their readiness to enter on the discharge of their duties. The act fixes the 10th of this month as the day on which their appointment takes effect; but they are not to assume their office until after the Government of the United States shall have notified them of the withdrawal of the provost-marshal and police established under its authority. This may be safely done at once, provided a provost-marshal and not exceeding 20 policemen are appointed to perform special duties, as suggested in my letter of 31st January. I also mentioned in that letter that an appropriation of $15,000 per annum would be necessary to meet the expenses incident to the maintenance of such a force, including their compensation, which should be paid once a month. Will you please authorize me, if you approve the measure, to appoint such a force and fix their compensation? I ought also to be authorized to notify the police commissioners that the Government withdraws the provost-marshal and policemen appointed by its direction. *Not found. An early answer is respectfully solicited, as the police commissioners are anxious to commence the performance of their duties, and as the compensation of the police force is in arrears, and measures should be taken to pay them. I am, very respectfully, yours, JOHN A. DIX, Major-General. The SECRETARY OF WAR: HALL'S HILL, VA., March 9, 1862. In the arrangements for the advance of to-morrow it is impossible to carry into effect the arrangements for the formation of army corps. I am obliged to take groups as I find them and to move them by divis ions. I respectfully ask a suspension of the order directing it till the present movement be over. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General. Major-General MCCLELLAN: WAR DEPARTMENT, March 9. I think it is the duty of every officer to obey the President's orders, nor can I see any reason why you should not obey them in present instance. I must therefore decline to suspend them. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General N. P. BANKS, Charlestown, Va.: The batteries on the Lower Potomac have been abandoned by the enemy, and it is believed that they either have or are about abandoning Manassas. We have it from four different sources. The General Commanding directs that you push out strong reconnaissances towards Winchester to-morrow morning and feel the enemy. He also directs that you hold your whole command ready to move to-morrow morning. General Dana has been directed to be ready. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS, Charlestown, Va., Sunday, March 9-12 p. m. General C. S. HAMILTON: GENERAL: Dispatch from headquarters states that batteries on the Lower Potomac are withdrawn, and it is believed that the rebels have abandoned or are about abandoning Manassas. We are instructed to make a strong reconnaissance towards Winches ter early to-morrow. General Williams will move two regiments in that direction at daybreak, with a detachment of cavalry and two sections of artillery. You will follow with your brigade to Bunker Hill, keeping within supporting distance, and in the event of combined action upon Winchester, you will, as senior officer, assume command of the forces on that line and co-operate with the troops of this line under such orders as may be hereafter issued. The column of reconnaissance here will move upon the Berryville road as soon after daybreak as possible. General Dana is ordered to our support from Poolesville. The advance parties will avoid any general action. Will communicate again in the early morning. By order of N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS, Near Charlestown, Va., March 9, 1862-12 p. m. HDQRS. GENERAL BANKS' DIVISION, sas. No. 57. 3. Information has been received that the enemy has abandoned the batteries on the Lower Potomac and is preparing to abandon ManasGeneral Sedgwick is therefore ordered to put his command in condition to move at 7 a. m. to-morrow, and will order General W. A. Gorman to make a reconnaissance towards Winchester, on the Berryville road, to-morrow morning at daybreak, with one battery of artillery and two squadrons of cavalry. 4. Information has been received that the enemy has abandoned the batteries on the Lower Potomac and is preparing to abandon Manassas. General J. J. Abercrombie is therefore ordered to put his brigade in condition to move at 7 a. m. to-morrow. 5. It is believed that the rebels have withdrawn their batteries on the Lower Potomac and are preparing to abandon Manassas. Pursuant to instructions, we shall make a strong reconnaissance in the direction of Winchester at daybreak to-morrow morning, Monday. You will put your brigade in readiness for immediate movement, and with at least two regiments, a detachment of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery, push forward at daybreak in the direction of Winchester for purposes of reconnaissance, avoiding any general engagement with the enemy until our forces may be combined. General C. S. Hamilton is instructed to move to Bunker Hill and keep within supporting distance, and in the event of combined operations General Hamilton, as senior officer, will assume command of the forces upon that line, and act under such orders as may be hereafter issued from these headquarters. By command of Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks: R. MORRIS COPELAND, HALL'S HILL, VA., March 10, 1862–1 a. m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: You have entirely misunderstood me, and the idea I intended to con vey was simply that I could not, under the pressure of the new aspect of affairs, immediately carry out the President's orders as to the for |