HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND,
Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

SIR: I received your confidential dispatch last evening, with the letter inclosed, concerning the "Winans arms."* Major-General Banks doubts the fact stated, and thinks that a search would excite a great deal of feeling among the Roman Catholics. I sent for a special agent of the police, and directed him to station policemen by night and day near the only two nunneries, as he thinks, in the city, and keep them in constant supervision. If they are entered by any unusual number of persons, or if any attempt is made to move the arms in case they are secreted there, as conjectured, the whole police force, aided by the military, will be called out. In half an hour two regiments can be concentrated at either point. In the mean time, if any circumstance occurs to confirm suspicion, I will not hesitate a moment to institute a through examination of the premises.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND,
Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861.

General B. F. BUTLER,

Commanding U. S. Forces, Fort Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: The following telegram has just been received at these headquarters:

WAR DEPARTMENT, July 24, 1861.

Major-General DIX, U. S. A.:

Transmit this telegram to Major-General Butler, U. S. forces, Fort Monroe, by the first steamer:

"By the first line of steamers running between Fort Monroe and Baltimore, and the railroad from Baltimore, send to this place, without fail, in three days, four regiments and a half of long-term volunteers, including Baker's regiment and a half.

"WINFIELD SCOTT."

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,

Numbers 186.
Fort Monroe, Va., July 24, 1861.

The troops at Camp Hamilton, in command of Colonel Duryea, and at Camp Greble, under the command of Colonel Baker, except the New York regiment, will, at the earliest possible time in the morning, strike and pack their tents and prepare to march.

* * * * * *

By order Benjamin F. Butler, major-general, commanding:

P. HAGGERTY,

Aide-de-Camp.

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*Not found.

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