HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, His Excellency Governor A. G. CURTIN, Harrisburg, Pa.: DEAR GOVERNOR: Major Burt has informed me of what you told him to-day in reference to the rebels organizing an expedition for this valley, &c. I have heard of various rumors to the same effect for perhaps two weeks past, and in consequence have given the matter serious consideration. I cannot, however, but believe that the rebel authorities are the authors of these stories, for the purpose of preventing our people from moving forward, and making us put ourselves on the defensive. My reasons are these: With a small party-a few thousand-they would be liable to be cut off, for, Sigel's troops being in their rear, and [sic] leisurely, they could not carry off enough spoils to make it an object, and I do not think that they will come with their whole army, as last summer. Still, I shall be on the lookout, and if they do come will try and do the best. Hoping that all will be well with us, I am, very respectfully, D. N. COUCH, Major-General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Brig. Gen. GILMAN MARSTON, Fort Monroe, March 11, 1864. Commanding Point Lookout : GENERAL: I sent you yesterday a 44-inch rifle gun, 100 rounds of ammunition. The gun is on a siege carriage. I think that with that you will be able to protect yourself from your friends in the mortar schooner. Captain Farquhar, chief engineer, goes up to lay out the proper works for the protection of the harbor and of your prisoners. I inclose herein a paper* upon the subject of keeping the prisoners. Captain Farquhar is an engineer of great skill and promise, and I should advise you to adopt his suggestions. With your prisoners you will be able to make out those redoubts very quickly. Any requisition you may make upon us will be promptly answered. Of course you will make all the stockades of timber from the wood and not from sawed timber. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. ON THE ROAD, 3 MILES ABOVE OLD DRAGON, Major-General BUTLER : GENERAL: I cannot send word back by transports, which were ordered to leave at 6 p. m. yesterday in absence of other orders, and I presume did so. The storm yesterday was very severe and rain heavy; roads knee deep and hard on men and horses. General Kilpatrick says he can't possibly get cavalry across the Dragon anywhere. He tried at old *Not found. and new bridges. To-day it is worse. He objected strongly to going to Middlesex, which, indeed, can only be done by building bridges. I have therefore directed him to proceed home direct with all cavalry except 200, which I retain for scouting, &c. It is now raining again, with every prospect of a continuance. It will take infantry till Sunday night to reach Yorktown in present condition of roads. General Kilpatrick has made no detailed report. His cavalry only went a short distance beyond the infantry. From there he sent out my cavalry (First Mounted Rifles and Eleventh Pennsylvania) to King and Queen Court-House and Carlton's Store, where Colonel Onderdonk reports finding 1,200 rebel cavalry, which he charged, routed, dispersed, and chased for 10 miles during the storm of yesterday, killing, wounding, and capturing a number, destroying camp, arms, stores, &c. In haste, respectfully, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 31. I. J. WISTAR, HDQRS. ARMY AND DIST. OF N. C., Brig. Gen. Edward Harland, U. S. Volunteers, having reported for duty in this district, is assigned to the command of the Sub-district of the Pamlico, with headquarters at Washington, N. C., relieving Col. J. M. McChesney, First North Carolina Volunteers. It is due to Colonel McChesney that the commanding general should express his appreciation of the valuable services he has rendered and the ability he has exhibited in his administration of the affairs of the sub-district. By command of Major-General Peck: GENERAL ORDERS, BENJ. B. FOSTER, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. ARMY AND DIST. OF N. C., No. 32. New Berne, N.C., March 11, 1864. I. Mainly through the philanthropy of Northern hearts, ample and liberal means have been provided for the moral and religious training of the colored children of North Carolina. No portion of this bounty has been diverted for the education of the poor white children, and thousands are within the lines growing up in vice and ignorance. Unless they are properly instructed, the American people have no guarantee that they will not in the future. attempt to revolutionize the Government and destroy its noble institutions. History will record that the lack of that knowledge which results from a general system of education was one of the leading causes of the existing revolution. The II. It is ordered that free schools be organized at once in New Berne, under such female teachers as may from time to time be authorized. The provost-marshal will procure suitable rooms. expenses will be paid from the civil fund on orders from these headquarters. III. Rev. J. Hill Rouse, hospital chaplain; Prof. W. H. Dougherty, and Surg. D. W. Hand, medical director, are appointed as inspectors of schools without compensation. They will report at least monthly upon their condition, making such recommendations as will promote the objects in view. IV. At an early day schools will be opened in Washington, Beaufort, and perhaps other places. By command of Major-General Peck: BENJ. B. FOSTER, Assistant Adjutant-General. GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 98. Washington, March 12, 1864. The President of the United States orders as follows: I. Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck is, at his own request, relieved from duty as General-in-Chief of the Army, and Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant is assigned to the command of the Armies of the United States. The headquarters of the Army will be in Washington, and also with Lieutenant-General Grant in the field. II. Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck is assigned to duty in Washington, as Chief of Staff of the Army, under the direction of the Secretary of War and the lieutenant-general commanding. His orders will be obeyed and respected accordingly. V. In relieving Major-General Halleck from duty as General-inChief the President desires to express his approbation and thanks for the able and zealous manner in which the arduous and responsible duties of that position have been performed. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General SEDGWICK, Commanding Army of the Potomac: The inclosed dispatch from General Merritt is just received, through Major-General Pleasonton. The reason for the request of General Ewell is left to surmise, so far as communicated by General Merritt. Please return the two dispatches for file. The messenger bearing the flag of truce appears to have gone back. I can ascertain from General Merritt by telegraph, and at the same time inquire if there has been any picket firing recently. There appears to be no necessity for an immediate reply. Very respectfully, &c., A communication, under a flag of truce, was received by Colonel Gibbs, commanding Reserve Brigade, asking that our picket along the Rapidan River be removed beyond musket-shot. The message came from General Ewell (rebel). No answer returned. The message was brought by Colonel Terrill, commanding Thirteenth Virginia Infantry. Has the major-general commanding any order in this matter? W. MERRITT, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General PLEASONTON, Commanding Cavalry Corps: The major-general commanding desires to know whether the pickets along the Rapidan have been advanced closer to the river recently; whether there has been any picket firing recently, and whether the enemy can drive our pickets from the river without crossing; whether the present position of the picket-line along the river is essential to watching and giving timely notice of the movements of the enemy, or is unnecessarily advanced, and by being so threatens the enemy, and for that reason is subject to attack. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HUMPHREYS, March 12, 1864. There Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: I have the honor to reply to your inquiries as follows: The pickets along the Rapidan have not been advanced. was some picket firing night before last, merely a few shots. Some of the pickets are in musket-range, and could be driven back without the enemy crossing. If the picket is drawn back he cannot watch the crossing, but I think could give timely information of the movements of the enemy. I do not think the line is unnecessarily advanced or that it threatens an attack from the enemy. There appears to be one post that has a commanding position that draws the fire of the enemy; the other posts do not draw the enemy's fire. A. PLEASONTON Major-General, Commanding. FORT MONROE, VA., March 12, 1864. (Received 12 m.) Major-General PLEASONTON, Army of the Potomac: in person on Tuesday. My men will all have embarked by to-morrow noon. I will report J. KILPATRICK, Brigadier-General. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12, 1864-10 p. m. Major-General PLEASONTON: You will have a thorough inspection made of both horses and men immediately on the return of Kilpatrick's command. The number of both horses and men that return must be carefully counted and noted and specific report as to condition of animals. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 97. Washington, March 12, 1864. 1. Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace, U. S. Volunteers, is assigned to the command of the Eighth Army Corps and of the Middle Department, exclusive of Fort Delaware. 2. The commanding officer of Fort Delaware will report direct to the War Department, and his post will not be considered as belonging to any geographical department. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland: Colonel Moor is apprehensive of an attack upon Beverly. I think it necessary to order up at least one section of Keeper's battery from Webster, but he has only 20 serviceable horses. Will you please direct that he be furnished with some more as soon as possible? WM. W. AVERELL, Brigadier-General. FORT MONROE, VA., March 12, 1864. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War: (Received 4.35 p. m.) Wistar is with the infantry, clearing out the land pirates and other guerrillas in Middlesex and Mathews Counties. He will return on Sunday. He was at Old Dragon Bridge on the 11th at 12 m. Major-General BUTLER : B. F. BUTLER, YORKTOWN, March 12, 1864-2.30 p. m. Have just returned. Left infantry and artillery with prisoners at Wood's Ordinary. Roads are bad. They will camp within 7 miles of Gloucester Point to-night. Some of the prisoners badly wounded. General Kilpatrick has gone without leaving any report for me. He has some prisoners. I have about 40. I. J. WISTAR, |