WHEELING, VA., September 16, 1862.

General HALLECK:

General Crawford has knowledge of Kanawha Valley. Don't know what experience in fighting. I want a man furnished, and will leave it to your selection, but ask that he be sent immediately.

F. H. PEIRPOINT,

Governor.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 17, 1862 - 1.20 p. m. (Received 5 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Please take military possession of the Chambersburg and Hagerstown Railroad, that our ammunition and supplies may be hurried up without delay. We are in the midst of the most terrible battle of the war - perhaps of history. Thus far it looks well, but I have great odds against me. Hurry up all the troops possible. Our loss has been terrific, but we have gained much ground. I have thrown the mass of the army on the left flank. Burnside is now attacking the right, and I hold my small reserve, consisting of Porter's (Fifth) corps, ready to attack the center as soon as the flank movements are developed. I hope that God will give us a glorious victory.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. 8TH ARMY CORPS, MIDDLE DEPT.,

Numbers 97. Baltimore, Md., September 17, 1862.

* * * * * * *

IX. Brigadier General John R. Kenly, U. S. Volunteers, will, without unnecessary delay, march to Hagerstown, Md., with the whole available force of his brigade, taking with him a full supply of ammunition and provisions for ten days.

Colonel James Belger, aide-de-camp and quartermaster, U. S. Army, will furnish the necessary transportation, upon being notified by Brigadier-General Kenly what will be required.

Upon arriving at Hagerstown, Brigadier-General Kenly will report to Major-General McClellan for orders.

By command of Major-General Wool:

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Via Hagerstown, Md., September 17, 1862. (Received 10 p. m.)

Brigadier-General RIPLEY,

Chief of Ordnance:

If you can possibly do it, force some 20-pounder Parrott ammunition through to-night, via Hagerstown and Chambersburg, to us, near Sharpsburg, Md.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major General, Commanding.