My balloon having failed me up to this time, I am unable to report the position of the rebel camps, in the distance. From the smoke I judge that two or three regiments are encamped behind the light gourd in rear of Shipping Point batteries. Camp marked 7 has entirely disappeared. Which my glass of Colchester. They occupy a position to dispute the passage of the Potomac or Occoquan, as may be needed. By revering ot the sketch of Lieutenant Magaw two batteries will be observed at the mouth of Potomac Creek. I learn that they are supported by about 300 men. These appear to invite captured.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH HOOKER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C. January 29, 1862.

Major-General BANKS,

Willard's Hotel:

GENERAL: You will please report to this Department the state of the force under your command, and whether you are in condition t make an advance movements across the Potomac, if ordered; and, if not, what is needed to place you in that condition .

Yours, &c.,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, January 30, 1864.

Brigadier General L . THOMAS,
Adjutant-General:

GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in your letter of the 28th instant, I have the honor to forward to you the inclosed statement of the troops of the different arms of the service now serving in this army, namely:

Commissioned Enlisted men Total

officers

Infantry 7,297 162,936 170,233

Cavalry 1,037 21,460 22,497

Artillery 633 15,173 15,497

Sharpshooters 60 1,409 1,469

Engineer Corps 77 1,883 1,960

9,104 202,861 211,965

Referring to the inclosed table for further details, * I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General..

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*Detailed statement omitted. The stations much the same as indicated on p. 732.

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