SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF PENNSYLVANIA,

Numbers 108.
Charlestown, Va., July 20, 1861.

All troops at Martinsburg or on their way thither from Williamsport are directed to retrace their steps at once and to return to their former stations.

By order of Major-General Patterson:

F. J. PORTER, A. A. G.

CHARLESTOWN, VA., July 20, 1861.

Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND:

With a portion of his force Johnston left Winchester by the road to Millwood on the afternoon of the 18th. His whole force was about thirty-five thousand two hundred.

R. PATTERSON.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, July 20, 1861.

Major-General PATTERSON, U. S. Army, Charlestown, Va.:

Five Pennsylvania regiments, Colonel Paine's Fourth Wisconsin, now at Harrisburg, and four regiments from this city, are ordered to join your army.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HARPER'S FERRY, July 21, 1861.

Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND:

I came here to-day. Yesterday Winchester and this county were abandoned by all armed parties. Johnston left for Millwood, to operate on McDowell's right and to turn through Loudoun upon me. I could not follow. The only active troops I have are the Second Cavalry, Doubleday's, Perkins', Rhode Island Battery, Second Massachusetts, Third Wisconsin (not fully equipped), Fourth Connecticut at Hagerstown, &c., Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth New York. All others are barefooted. Their term expires in a few days, and I am required by General Orders, No.--, to send them home. Five regiments have gone; four go to-morrow, and so on. The Third Wisconsin will be placed temporarily on the canal, which parties have lately attempted to destroy, and will remain till I am provided with troops for active service. I have ordered the hospital depot, &c., at Hagerstown to be transferred to this place, but if your order me to you, will countermand the order. A large force will be required to defend this place against an active foe. I hear nothing of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Shall I join you with all my effective force, abandoning this place, sending home the three months' men, and my supplies to Washington?

R. PATTERSON,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS, July 22, 1861-1.30 a. m.

General BANKS, Baltimore, Md.;

Proceed to Harper's Ferry and relieve General Patterson, turning over your present command to General Dix.

WINFIELD SCOTT.