Answer. I had no immediate command of Harper's Ferry at the time of its surrender. Previous to that my command extended from the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia to Wheeling.

Question. At what time did Harper's Ferry cease to be a part of your command?

Answer. About the 12th of September.

Question. Three days before the surrender?

Answer. Yes, sir; I immediately answered that order, and wrote to General Halleck that he or General McClellan could take all the troops from the Relay House up to Martinsburg, or even beyond that - to Martinsburg, at all events. I stated the number of troops at that time. When I wrote that letter I did not know that General White had fallen back or retreated, and joined Colonel Miles' command; which I had previously directed him to do in case he should be attacked by an overwhelming force.

Question. Will you state to the Commission what measures, if any, were taken under your directions, or were suggested by you, looking to the preparation of Harper's Ferry for defense against the enemy?

Answer. I have orders here and telegrams from Colonel Miles and my answers to them. They are as follows:

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, No. 7. Baltimore, Md., June 15, 1862.

* * * * * * *

II. Colonel Dixon S. Miles, Second U. S. Infantry, will, without delay, make a return to department headquarters at Baltimore of all the troops under his command, giving their station and all the information necessary to a full understanding of the duties performed by them, together with any suggestions as to the changes, &c., that, in his opinion, he may deem advisable.

By command of Major-General Wool:

W M. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 7. Baltimore, Md., June 15, 1862.

* * * * * * *

III. Colonel Miles will take measures to complete, without delay, the intrenchments commenced by him at Camp Hill, near Harper's Ferry. If the work cannot be performed by the soldiers under his command, he will employ contrabands for that purpose. He will immediately mount two additional guns in the intrenchments above named.

By command of Major-General Wool:

W M. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 9. Baltimore, Md., June 17, 1862.

I. Colonel S. Graham, Fifth New York Artillery, will, without unnecessary delay, detail one of his best companies to proceed to Harper's Ferry and report to Colonel D. S. Miles, Second U. S. Infantry, commanding at that place, for duty with the heavy batteries. Major James Belger, quartermaster, U. S. Army, will furnish the necessary transportation.

By command of Major-General Wool:

W M. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 10. Baltimore, Md., June 18, 1862.

I. The Twenty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, with battery attached, under Colonel Mulligan en route for Annapolis, Md., will halt at Harper's Ferry until further orders. Colonel Mulligan will report to Colonel Miles for duty.

By command of Major-General Wool:

W M. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 10. Baltimore, Md., June 18, 1862.

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II. The Twenty-second Regiment New York State Militia will march for Harper's Ferry at 10 o'clock a. m. to-morrow. Any baggage which cannot be taken, for want of time, can be forwarded after the regiment. Upon arriving at Harper's Ferry, the commanding officer of the regiment will report to Colonel D. S. Miles, commanding at that place, for duty. Major James Belger, quartermaster, U. S. Army, will furnish the necessary transportation.

By command of Major-General Wool:

W M. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.