HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 28, 1862-10 p.m.

General E. V. SUMNER,

Commanding Harper's Ferry:

Reports from several sources go to show that the rebel army is retreating from the vicinity of Martinsburg. To get reliable information upon this subject, the commanding general desires you to send out a cavalry reconnaissance, as far as it can safely be done, toward Charlestown to-morrow morning, to ascertain, if practicable, whether the enemy is moving toward Winchester. Please report the result on the return of the party.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, September 28, 1862.

Major-General BANKS,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The General-in-Chief directs that twenty regiments of new troops be sent by railroad to Frederick, to report to Major-General McClellan, commanding.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. KELTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 28, 1862.

General WADSWORTH:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War directs that you fill, as far as possible, the requisitions of Major-General McClellan for negro laborers to work on entrenchments, &c., at Harper's Ferry.

Very respectfully,

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 29, 1862.

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

If the regiments of new troops ordered to Frederick to report to you ought to go direct to Harper's Ferry or elsewhere, please telegraph to General Banks.

Why not march these troops?

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 29, 1862-10 p.m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

A cavalry reconnaissance was made to-day to Shepherdstown and about 5 miles beyond, in the direction of Martinsburg. The enemy's