CENTREVILLE, December 5, 1861.

General WHITING:

MY DEAR GENERAL: I have just heard that the from Dumfries to Bacon Race by greenwood Church is blocked up. I want to know precisely what roads are open and which closed. Place inform me. The enemy's movements might be such as to tempt me to go in your direction first. It is necessary to be prepared to do so at all events. That road seems to me the best for our purposes. The bridge at Bland's Ford is done. Preparations are begun for one at Davis's Ford. Should we go again your enemy it ought to be in two columns on those two routes. The infernal balloon may interfere with success as we had with Patterson.

Yours, truly,

J. E. JOHNSTON.

RICHMOND, December 5, 1861.

General LORING, Staunton, Va.:

The exigency requires the arrival or your entire command as rapidly as possible at Winchester.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

DUBLIN, December 5, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

I am here with part of my command, awaiting your orders. There is neither wood nor water within four miles of this point suitable forbuilding.

Respectfully,

JOHN B. FLOYD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

RICHMOND, December 5, 1861.

Brigadier General JOHN B. FLOYD, Dublin Station:

Remove your command to any point on the railroad where you can get supplies. Your stay will be but temporary. i write by mail. Halt Donelson's command and Starke's regiments at some convenient point on the railroad for further orders.

S. COOPER.

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

RICHMOND, December 6, 1861.

Major General T. J. JACKSON, Winchester, Va.:

SIR: I have hitherto been unable to send you any instructions relative to your command, not knowing what number of troops it would be possible to assign to your district. You will now perceive, by the inclosed copy of letter received from General Loring, that in accordance with your views, inclosed by this Department, ha has commenced a