River pike to Snickersville. General Sumner's cavalry will connect with Stoneman's, and run down the Shenandoah to Harper's Ferry. this, as you will perceive, will cover Washington from every approach in the direction of the enemy.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 5, 1862-10 p.m.

General GEORGE STONEMAN,
Poolesville:

As soon as a pontoon bridge can be thrown across the Potomac near you (probably in two or three days), the commanding general directs that you concentrate your artillery and infantry near Leesburg, keeping out a line of cavalry pickets upon the Little River pike from the point where it crosses Goose Creek to Snickersville.

General Sumner's cavalry will connect with yours at Snickersville, and General Banks' cavalry will connect with your left at the crossing of Goose Creek.

Please report the amount of cavalry you now have under your command, and what additional force of this arm, if any, you will require to perform the service specified.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 5, 1862-10 p.m.

General E. V. SUMNER,
Commanding, Harper's Ferry:

The commanding general desires you to send out all your disposable cavalry to-morrow morning on a reconnaissance as far toward Charlestown as can be done with safety. Lieutenant Bowen, Topographical Engineers, will accompany the detachment. Please communicate to him this information.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

[OCTOBER 5, 1862.-For Wright to Halleck, in reference to operations in West Virginia, see Series I, Vol. XVI, Part II, p.574.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

No. 272. Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., October 5, 1862.

* * * * * * *

VI. Brigadier General H. S. Briggs, volunteer service, will report for duty to Major General F. J. Porter, commanding Fifth Army Corps.

* * * * * * *

By command of Major-General McClellan:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.