Abstract from return of the Department of Northern Virginia, command by General Joseph E, Johnston, C. S. Army, for month of November, 1861.

P r e s e n t f o r d u t y.

.

Infantry. Cavalry. Artillery.

Command. Office Men. Offic Men. Offic Men.

rs. ers. ers.

Potomac 1,137 16,362 472 57 1,252

District: 32

First Corps....

Second Corps.... 838 11,677 ... ... 17 374

Reserve 418 6,209 ... ... 14 200

Division........

Cavalry Brigade. ... ... 177 2,016 ... ...

Artillery Corps ... ... ... ... 30 423

Total potomac 2,393 34,329 209 2,488 118 2,249

District...

Valley 332 2,505 43 508 3 114

District.......

Aquia District.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Grant total. 2,725 37,834 243 2,996 121 2,362

Command. Effective Aggregate Aggregat Pieces

total. present. e of

present artiller

and y.

absent.

Potomac * 19,165 23,283 29,855 ...

District:

First Corps....

Second Corps.... + 12,862 16,440 19,505 24

Reserve 7,000 8,412 10,431 12

Division........

Cavalry Brigade. 2,204 2,724 3,396 ...

Artillery Corps 446 563 699 ...

Total potomac 41,667 51,422 63,916 36

District...

Valley 4,523 5,356 9,813 ...

District.......

Aquia District.. 5,743 7,151 8,824 35

Grant total. 51,943 63,929 82,553 71

Notes from original return:

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* Effective total (2,680) of forces under Brigadier General D. H. Hill to be deducted.

+ Effective total (6,781) of forces under Brigadier General W. H. C. Writing to be deducted.

++ The report of Major-General Holmes does indicate the Present for duty."

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HEADQUARTERS, Centreville, December 1, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

SIR: I beg leave to suggest to the War Department the importance of taking immediate measures to keep up our military force during the continuance of the war.

Two occur to me: One to hold inducements to volunteers for one year to re-engage for the war; leave of absence would be the strongest inducement; the practicability of granting them in this army must depend, however, upon the enemy's course during the winter. The other to form camps in which volunteers for the war shall be instructed (without arms, if arms are not to be had) and accustomed to camp life and go through the course of camp diseases. Such of these men as cannot be armed will be prepared to take the arms of the volunteers who may be discharged int eh spring.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. JOHNSTON,

General.

HEADQUARTERS, Centreville, December 1, 1861.

Honorable J. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

SIR: Our correspondent in Washington asserts that the United States Government has a spy in the War Office. He does not know the name..

He says that an advance os to be made this week in great force; a large force to cross the Potomac below us. The country is in a condition which prevents maneuvering on our put-a great advance, therefore, to the enemy, who moves on the water.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,

General.