HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862.

GENERAL: Lieutenant Shunk has gone back to hurry up ordnance supplies of ammunition, &c. He informed me he had no supply of musket ammunition, but that there was plenty throughout the various division trains, and a supply might be taken for Morell's division from the trains wherever it could be found. He thought that Mansfield's corps was better supplied than any other.

Very respectfully, S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-9.30 a. M.

Major-General SUMNER:

GENERAL: General McClellan desires you to inform him the moment the head of Mansfield's corps comes up. The general will be for the present at General Hooker's headquarters.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-5.50 p. M.

Brevet Major-General SUMNER:

GENERAL: General McClellan desires you to move Mansfield's corps across the fords and bridge over the Antietam and to take such position as may be designated for it by General Hooker. General McClellan desires that all the artillery, ammunition, and everything else appertaining to the corps, be gotten over without fail to-night, ready for action early in the morning. He also desires you to have the other corps of your command ready to march one hour before daylight to-morrow morning.

I am, general, very respectfully your obedient servant, GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Aide-de-Camp.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-7.30 p. M.

Major-General SUMNER:

GENERAL: General McClellan desires you to place two batteries in position on the ridge in rear of general headquarters. These batteries are intended to guard the Antietam between the fords and this point. He desires that these batteries be established before daybreak to-morrow morning.

I am, general very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Centreville, September 16, 1862-7.45 a. M.

Major-General FRANKLIN:

GENERAL: The man O'Sullivan, who passed through your lines yesterday as a bearer of dispatches to Colonel Miles, has returned and informs me that Miles surrendered unconditionally at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, and that the rebels on this side of the river were rapidly recrossing to the Virginia side by our pontoon bridge at Harper's Ferry. He did not see this with his own eyes, but was so informed by perseons in whom he has implicit confidence. I think the enemy has abandoned the posiiton in front of us, but the fog is so dense that I have not yet been enabled to determine. If the enemy is in force here, I shall attack him this morning. The instant I know whether he is still here or not I shall inform you.

I would again caution you to watch Knoxville and Berlin with a small cavalry force, so that no enemy can get in your rear.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-7.30 p. M.

Major-General FRANKLIN:

GENERAL: General McClellan directs me to say that he still desires you to occupy Maryland Heights. If, however, this should prove impracticable, he thinks that you had better leave a small force at your present position, and join him with the remainder of your command.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Near Centerville, September 16, 1862-.9.30 p. M.

Major-General FRANKLIN:

GENERAL: General McClellan directs me to say that the enemy is stillin force in front of us. What news have you? And what is the condition of affairs with you? Please answer.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-3.45 p. M.

Brigadier-General PLEASONTON:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to collect all your cavalry, excepting such only as may be detached on important service, so as to have your command ready at a moment's notice, should it be required to make pursuit of the enemy.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Aide-de-Camp.



SPECIAL ORDERS. HDQRS. DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON. No. 7. September 16, 1862

* * * * *

7. Brigadier General J. B. Carr will report to Brigadier General C. Grover, commanding division, Third Corps, for assignment by him to the command of a brigade of his division.

* * * * *

By command of Major-General Banks:

RICHD. B. IRWIN, Captain, Aide-de-Camp, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.