battery, and proceed by rail as far as you can toward Harper's Ferry. If you find the road cut, or obstructed by the enemy, you will disembark your command, and open communication to the Ferry. On arriving at that point you will turn over your troops to the officer commanding there, and return to this city. LieutenantColonel Clendenin will report at Point of Rocks to you with six troops of cavalry. His command will not be turned over at Harper's Ferry, but ordered to return to Washington. You will carry such officers of your staff with you as you shall deem necessary. I am, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Colonel GAMBLE,. Commanding Camp Stoneman : You will at once organize the dismounted cavalry of your command into one or two battalions, and arm and equip them as infantry, for temporary service at Harper's Ferry. This must be done at once, so that they can leave by to-morrow morning. Let requisitions for the necessary arms, equipments, and ammunition, and teams to bring them, be sent at once. Respectfully, yours, C. C. AUGUR, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, Colonel GAMBLE, Commanding Division: COLONEL: I am instructed to impress upon your attention the urgent necessity that the battalions of dismounted cavalry be at the railroad depot promptly at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning, prepared to take the cars. If it be possible to get them there before that time endeavor to do so, notifying these headquarters in time, in order that earlier transportation may be provided. Please send report to these headquarters at daylight, as to the progress made in preparation, by the orderly who carries this dispatch. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. RAYMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Lieutenant-Colonel CLENDENIN, Commanding Eighth Illinois Cavalry: COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that telegraphic communication has been cut between this city and Harper's Ferry, and that it is necessary to ascertain by whom. You will, therefore, proceed without delay with six troops of your regiment (leaving one in quarters) by the shortest route to Point of Rocks, or its vicinity, and ascertain the enemy's position, force, composition, and generally acquire any information concerning him which will be of interest. You will remain in that vicinity and report to Brig. Gen. A. P. Howe, who will proceed by rail to the same point July 5. Major Thompson, commanding on Upper Potomac, will communicate with you. You will carry three days' rations for men and horses (no hay), and will march without wagons. It is expected that you move this p. m. Report your departure at these headquarters. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, HDQRS. DEPT. OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Maj. D. W. C. THOMPSON, Commanding on Upper Potomac : MAJOR: The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that Lieutenant-Colonel Clendenin will move this p. m. from this city, with six troops of his regiment, to Point of Rocks or vicinity, for the purpose of feeling and ascertaining the character of the enemy between the Monocacy and Harper's Ferry; and that BrigadierGeneral Howe will move by rail with troops for the same point July 5. He directs that you meet at the Monocacy Colonel Clendenin, with a squadron, and afford him all required facilities and assistance in carrying out his instructions. It is not expected that you proceed to Harper's Ferry. Be pleased to keep these headquarters informed of all which may transpire of interest. I am, major, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, NOTE. When General Howe moves to Harper's Ferry, you will return to your post. SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS HASKIN'S DIVISION, July 4, 1864. 1. The One hundred and seventieth Ohio National Guard will proceed at once to the Soldiers' Rest, Baltimore Depot, equipped for the field, with three days' rations and 100 rounds of ammunition. The sick will be left under the charge of the acting assistant surgeon. One officer (least able to take the field) will be left to turn over the property, &c. 2. The quartermaster of the One hundred and fifty-first Ohio National Guard will take care of the quartermaster's property of the One hundred and seventieth Regiment. 3. Battery I, Second U. S. Artillery, will relieve the two companies at Batteries Kemble and Vermont. 4. Two companies of Knap's battalion, Pennsylvania Artillery, will garrison Fort Sumner. One company of this battalion will garrison Fort Mansfield and the other Fort Simmons. 5. Major Knap's battalion will proceed at once to relieve the One hundred and seventieth Ohio National Guard. The commanding officer will report to Colonel Marble, commanding Second Brigade, at Fort Reno, for orders. The commanding officer of the First Brigade will furnish the transportation for this battalion and see that it leaves as soon as possible this evening. 6. Colonel Hayward, commanding First Brigade, will order one company of his regiment from Fort Bunker Hill to Fort Stevens, and one from Fort Lincoln to Fort Slocum. 7. Battery G, Third U. S. Artillery, will proceed without delay to Fort Sumner and report to the commanding officer for duty. The commanding officer of this company will at once make requisitions for muskets and equipments for his company, and send them to these headquarters by an officer for approval. The quartermaster of the Third Brigade will furnish the necessary transportation. By order of Colonel Haskin: R. CHANDLER, Assistant Adjutant-General. BALTIMORE, MD., July 4, 1864-11.35 a. m. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, (Received 12 m.) General H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff: General Weber telegraphs me from Harper's Ferry, at 10.48 this morning, that "the enemy are in sight. Our re-enforcements have not arrived. Two thousand cavalry and a force of infantry are, in sight. I have been skirmishing two hours. If they press me much longer I shall retire to the Heights. At 11.05 our agent at Harper's Ferry telegraphs: "Great excitement here. All citizens leaving. Harper's Ferry is being evacuated by the military." Our agent at Washington telegraphs at 10.45 that troops for Harper's Ferry are not yet started; that he had been ready for them since 3 o'clock this morning, and that they are waiting for ammunition and guns from arsenal. If ammunition cannot be sent at once from Washington there is doubtless a supply at Monocacy, which can be furnished them as they pass. A want of firmness is to be feared at Harper's Ferry. General Sigel reported himself at Shepherdstown last night, with the troops that have retreated from Leetown and Martinsburg. He stated that he would cross the river and march to Harper's Ferry this morning. General Weber states the rebel cavalry is under command of General Ransom, and was reported last night to be marching on Williamsport. He adds: "I regret to say that great damage will be done to the railroad." Your further communication to the commandant at Harper's Ferry may aid in its preservation. J. W. GARRETT, President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. BALTIMORE, MD., July 4, 1864-12 m. (Received 12.50 p. m.) Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War, and Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff: We have received the following dispatch from General Kelley, dated Cumberland, 9 p. m., 3d, received this morning: Your telegram just received. We are yet safe on west end. I have all of our stores loaded and moved west to a place of safety. It is rumored that there is a force on Lost River, moving toward Moorefield. This I do not regard as reliable. I have sent a detachment with three iron-clad cars down the road as far as Sir John's Run, with orders to go to Cherry Run unless they get information at that point which would render it too hazardous. The trains west of this are running regularly. Cars have been sent to Parkersburg to bring forward troops from that point. I think you need feel no apprehension for the safety of road west of this, and I hope to save it west of Hancock. B. F. KELLEY, This Agent Ford telegraphs from Wheeling yesterday, received at 10.10 this morning: "No threatening of interruption west of Cumberland. Dispatched this afternoon (Sunday) four engines with stock and house cars for movement from Parkersburg east." is undoubtedly a part of General Hunter's forces. We have directed the greatest possible dispatch to be given to all military movements from the west. J. W. GARRETT, President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. General HALLECK: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., July 4, 1864. The following copy of telegram is respectfully furnished you by direction of the Secretary of War: Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: CAMDEN STATION, Baltimore, July 4, 1864-3.50 p. m. The telegraph operator at Point of Rocks reports that the enemy has crossed the river half mile west of that point and is driving our men. We are unable to learn what force, the operator having left. Have advised General Tyler at Monocacy and urged him to be vigilant and active, &c. Operator at Frederick just advises that all wires west of that point have been cut. JOHN W. GARRETT, Respectfully, JAS. A. HARDIE, CAMDEN STATION, Baltimore, Md., July 4, 1864. Hon. E. M. STANTON. Secretary of War: (Received 11.50 p. m.) The force attacking Point of Rocks at 1 this p. m. consisted of about 150 cavalry. Our mail train that left Baltimore this morning www was fired into on its return from Harper's Ferry, but the engineman succeeded in escaping by backing, and that train is now at Sandy Hook. General Tyler reports Frederick to be threatened this p. m., and on account of the position of the enemy at Point of Rocks holds east of Monocacy the 470 artillerists without arms sent from Washington until they can be forwarded under suitable protection. Agent Ford reports enemy at Patterson's Creek and South Branch bridges, eight and sixteen miles, respectively, east of Cumberland. He states that at South Branch rebels are in considerable force, and are shelling the guard at that point. At Cumberland and Piedmont our forces are very limited, and attacks are now apprehended. Ford states that no portion of General Hunter's command has yet moved eastward. In view of the exigency, cannot General Hunter be urged to move rapidly? A large supply of cars and engines has been sent to Parkersburg for this movement, but we fear no part has yet been loaded or even reached the road. It is now evident that General Hunter's men are absolutely required to strengthen the forces upon the line and to prevent a general abandonment of the road and the entire frontier. It is clear that if there be not a large rebel force they are being handled with great vigor and skill to make such numerous attacks at points so distant. J. W. GARRETT, President. [JULY 4, 1864.-For Weber to Halleck (four dispatches), reporting approach of enemy, &c., see Part I, pp. 184, 185.] WASHINGTON, July 4, 1864-12.30 p. m. Brig. Gen. MAX WEBER : (Received 11 a. m., 5th.) The five batteries ordered from here last night will reach you to-day. Nothing is known here of General Sigel's movements. Everything should be prepared for the defense of your works, and the first man who proposes a surrender or retreats should be hung. As General Hunter's army was ordered several days ago to the line of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, it will probably soon be in communication with General Sigel. H. W. HALLECK, HEADQUARTERS, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 4, 1864-12.30 p. m. General HALLECK, Chief of Staff, Washington, D. C.: I have been fighting the enemy since morning. They are advancing with cavalry and infantry. I will not evacuate Harper's Ferry until my means are exhausted. MAX WEBER, Brigadier-General. |