HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 24, 1862-9 p.m.

General N. P. BANKS:

If the Eighteenth Maine Regiment can be spared from the Defenses of Washington, the commanding general desires that you will please order it to report to Major General F. J. Porter, at this place.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 24, 1862-10 p.m. (Received 11.05 p.m.)

Major General N. P. BANKS:

Will you please have two companies of heavy artillery sent to Harper's Ferry at once? They will be required to man the heavy guns on Maryland Heights.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON, September 24, 1862-7 p.m.

Major General S. P. HEINTZELMAN,
Arlington:

The following telegram are communicated for your information.* The commanding general directs that you have the force already sent out sufficiently augmented to effect the object. The general would prefer to have a considerable force of cavalry added to the infantry you send under this order, but leaves the strength and composition of the force to be sent entirely to your discretion. Please report your action.

By command:

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Captain and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON, September 24, 1862-11 p.m.

Major General S. P. HEINTZELMAN,
Arlington:

Send forward the rest of Sigel's corps, as you suggest. Great caution must be observed to prevent surprise. Let the cavalry be kept well to the front and on the alert. Instruct General Sigel to report frequently the state of affairs.

By command of Major-General Banks:

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Captain, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

HEADQUARTERS MARYLAND BRIGADE,
Williamsport, [Md.], September 24, 1862.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of yesterday, directed to me at Hagerstown, desiring me to send by the bearer a return of my command, and also to inform you whether there were at Hagerstown or vicinity other than those subject to my orders.

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*Not identified.

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