labor, if there are any disposable. The position of the enemy opposite us seems to remain as it was at the date of my last dispatch, except that he seems to have extended his pickets up the Potomac, above Williamsport.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HARPER'S FERRY, September 26, 1862.

General MARCY,

Chief of Staff:

Just received the following:

I arrived at this point on the Charlestown road. Two miles from Charlestown I find the enemy's pickets scattered through the country. I have driven them before me thus far. My advance guard report artillery in front of Charlestown, and the scout I sent out on my right from this point reports a large body of the enemy-infantry, cavalry, and artillery-about 1 mile. I don't deem it prudent to advance farther with my command, and shall fall back to within about 1 1/2 miles of your camp. Please sent this on to General Pleasonton.

C. J. WHITING,

Major, Second Cavalry.

SUMNER,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 26, 1862.

Major-General WOOL,

Baltimore, Md.:

Major-General McClellan has been directed, while operation on the Upper Potomac, to use any troops in his vicinity without regard to department lines. Please instruct General Kelley to communicate with General McClellan, and to obey such orders as he may give him.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, September 26, 1862-[9.30].

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: The following telegram has just been received from Colonel Campbell, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, dated Sir John's Run:

I cannot longer hold my position on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, unless re-enforced. The rebels are advancing up the road. They are in strong force at Hedgesville and North Mountain. My regiments are the only Union troops between North Mountain and South Branch of the Potomac.

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 26, 1862-11 a.m.(Received 12.20 p.m.)

General JOHN E. WOOL,

Commanding, Baltimore:

Your dispatch of 9.30 a.m. received. In case Colonel Campbell is threatened by a large force at Sir John's Run, I would suggest that he