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to expect any new regiments soon? Such troops could pro ect my rear and give me McCall's division entire.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General.

HDQRS. HOOKER'S DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS,
Camp near Fair Oaks Station, Va., June 19, 1862.

Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS,

Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac :

I have the honor to report that from one of the forest trees a tolerably good view of the enemy's field works in my front was obtained yesterday. They have a redoubt located near the railroad; one to command the Williamsburg old stage road, and another to command a succession of clearings which extend from Casey's camp to their position, these reaching off from the camp in nearly a southwesterly direction. These redoubts appear to be connected with a continuous line of rifle pits, running almost perpendicular to the railroad.

All of these field works are located on the western border of a wheat field, and directly in advance of a dense pine forest, in which is one of the rebel camps. From a slight elevation it can be observed that they extend a mile or more. Beyond that the view is obstructed. From the density of the forest this camp would not be observed except from a side view from the east. It has not been satisfactorily ascertained whether the redoubts are garnished with guns or not.

For several days past I have been satisfied of the presence of a large number of troops in my immediate neighborhood, but it was only yesterday that I had reliable information as to their probable number or the character and extent of the enemy's defenses. This information was furnished me by Lieutenant-Colonel Potter, of the Seventy-first New York Volunteers, whose intelligence, activity, and zeal has been of great service since my division has had the honor to hold the advance of the army.

The wheat field referred to is the first cleared field we come to after passing the forest in front of Casey's camp, and is about 600 yards wide. These field works were not visible from the wheat field on the 2d instant. Troops emerging from the woods will be exposed to terrible fire, to avoid which Wyman was directed not to permit his men to step outside the timber.

I request that Private Libscom, a prisoner of yesterday, may be examined critically, for n.uch valuable information can be gathered from him. He was sent to headquarters this morning.

Very respectfully, &c.,

JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

GENERAL ORDERS,

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Camp Lincoln, Va., June 19, 1862.

I. The extra issue of whisky heretofore ordered will be immediately discontinued.

II. All commanding officers are enjoined strictly to enforce the exist

ing orders directing that hot coffee be served to the troops immediately after reveille.

By command of Major-General McClellan :

Major-General MCCLELLAN :

S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON CITY, June 20, 1862.

We have this morning sent you a dispatch of General Sigel corroborative of the proposition that Jackson is being re-enforced from Richmond. This may be reality and yet may only be contrivance for deception, and to determine which is perplexing. If we knew it was not true we could send you some more force, but as the case stands we do not think we safely can. Still, we will watch the signs and do so if possible.

In regard to a contemplated execution of Captains Sprigg and Triplett the Government has no information whatever, but will inquire and advise you.

A. LINCOLN.

Major WOODruff,

Topographical Bureau:

MOOLELLAN'S,

June 20, 1862-10 p. m.

Send Prof. [G. C.] Schaeffer to these headquarters immediately, with all the notes and memoranda he collected for Colonel Macomb concerning the Mattapony, Pamunkey, James, Appomattox, and Elizabeth Rivers; also his notes about the Fredericksburg, West Point, Danville, Petersburg, and Norfolk Railroads. If necessary, send him by a special boat. Tell him to be careful to bring everything; also any books and reports containing the information.

By order of Major-General McClellan :

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Brigadier-General.

Mr. FELTON,

MCCLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS,
June 20, 1862-10 p. m.

President Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad, Philadelphia: Will you please send me by telegraph in cipher, and also by mail at once, all the information you have in regard to the bridges on the Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Richmond and Danville, Lynchburg and Burkesville, Richmond and Petersburg, and Seaboard and Roanoke Railroads, giving the heights, length, and nature of the structures. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General.

Further correspondence in reference to Captains Sprigg and Triplett will appear

in Series II

HEADQUARTERS DepartmenT OF VIRGINIA,
McClellan's, June 20, 1862--1 p. m.

Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE,

Commanding, New Berne:

How many troops could you bring to White House and leave everything secure in your present position, and what time would it require to get the disposable troops to Fort Monroe? What is the earliest moment you can move with your present transportation on Goldsborough? Answer at once.

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We can put 7,000 infantry in Norfolk in five days, but no artillery, cavalry, or wagons. We can land at a point on the Chowan to attack Petersburg with 7,000 infantry, twelve pieces of artillery, 250 cavalry, and enough wagons for ammunition and four days' provisions in five days.

We can move on Goldsborough at sixty hours' notice with 10,000 infantry, twenty pieces of artillery, five companies cavalry. From my present information I think we can take Goldsborough and hold it for the present, although 13 miles of the railroad between here and Kinston have been destroyed. At all events we can go to Kinston and repair the railroad and bridges between here and there. We have already built the bridges over the Trent and Batchelder's Creek, and will proba bly have to build one more bridge of 80 feet at Core Creek and one of 400 feet at Kinston, although the latter is not yet destroyed and we may save it.

[A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General.]

General J. W. RIPLEY,

Chief of Ordnance:

MCCLELLAN'S, June 20, 1862.

(Received June 20, 7.10 p. m.)

The Parrott ammunition heretofore furnished the 20-pounder Parrott guns sent to this army has proved unsatisfactory. The enemy thus far fire better than we can. The Schenkl ammunition we have had has, however, done well, and I consider it of the highest importance that a large quantity of that kind be sent here immediately. I shall doubtless have occasion to use the 30-pounder Parrott guns I have, and I strongly advise that, if it can be procured, a good supply of Schenkl ammunition be sent forward for that caliber. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General.

Command.

Abstract from Return of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S Army, commanding, for June 20, 1862.

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Statement of the comparative strength of the Army of the Potomac on the 1st day of April, 1862, and the 20th day of June, 1862.

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ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., December 31, 1862.

It is hereby certified that the preceding statement is accurately compiled from the morning report of the Army of the Potomac of the 1st day of April and the 20th day of June, 1862, signed by Major-General McClellan and his assistant adjutant-general, Seth Williams, and now on file in this office.*

E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDNANCE OFFICE,

Washington, June 21, 1862-11.10 a. m.

General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,

Army of the Potomac, near Richmond, Va. :

My attention has been called by the Secretary of War to the defective nature of the time fuses used with your 20-pounders. As all the paper time fuses used with the Army of the Potomac are made and carefully tested at the Washington Arsenal, I am at a loss to understand the nature of the defects referred to. Be pleased to state all the circumstances of the failure, so that I may act understandingly, and I will use every means in my power to correct it.

Mr. Schenk is pushing work on the 20-pounder projectiles. The preparation of machinery will necessarily delay their delivery some days. I have this day ordered him to send you 5,000 30-pounder projectiles with all possible dispatch.

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JAS. W. RIPLEY,
Brigadier-General.

MCCLELLAN'S,

June 21, 1862—2 p. m.

I would respectfully request that no persons be permitted to visit White House or the corps of this army except upon strictly military duty. All the means of railway transportation are required to supply

* See also Series I, Vol. V, p. 13.

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