HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 27, 1862-7.45 a. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,
Commanding Ninth Corps:

GENERAL: In reply to your note of this morning to the commanding general, in relation to the movements ordered for to-day, be directs me to say that you are at liberty to carry out the suggestions therein made by you.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel and Assistant Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 27, 1862-12 m.

General FITZ JOHN PORTER,
Near Sharpsburg:

The commanding general will leave all the troops that can be spared from this army to guard the line of the river from Sharpsburg to Cumberland. This is a highly important service, and requires some officer of rank to superintend it. He has thought of General Morell in connection with it. How would he like this service? Please give me an answer at the earliest practicable moment.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, October 27, 1862.

Generals BANKS and HEINTZELMAN:

Scouts sent out to Aldie yesterday returned this morning and confirm reports brought in by contrabands that Longstreet arrived with his force at Upperville on Friday and was there on Saturday, a small force being at Middleburg. The inhabitants also confirm the rumor. Shall send out scout to-day.

F. SIGEL.

(Repeated to McClellan, 11 a. m.)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER,
Camp near Knoxville, Md., October 27, 1862-12.30 p. m.

Colonel C. G. SAWTELLE,

Quartermaster, Cass Building, Vermont Ave., Washington:

I have received the following telegram from Colonel D. D. Tompkins, assistant quartermaster-general, New York:

The pontoon train furnished by the engineer department has all after on the barges Michigan, Anderson, Clarkson Numbers 1, F. S. Ayres, and E. A. M. Neely, all destined for Washington, through the canal and up the Potomac. The first two left on the 21st, two of the 22d, and two on the 25th. Please have these barges discharged and sent back immediately.

D. D. TOMPKINS.

Please cause this request to be executed.

RUFUS INGALLS,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, and Chief Quartermaster.