PART II.-VOL. XXV.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 26 TO JUNE 2, 1863.

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,

Numbers 20.
Washington, January 25, 1863.

I. The President of the United States had directed:

1. That Major General A. E. Burnside, at this own request, be relieved from command of the Army of the potomac.

2. That Major General E. V. Sumner, at his own request, be relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac.

3. That Major General W. B. Franklin be relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac.

4. That Major General J. Hooker be assigned to the command of the Army of the Potomac.

II. The officers relieved as above will report in person to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C.,

January 25, 1863.

Major General JOSEPH HOOKER,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The President directs me to say that he wishes an interview with you at the Executive mansion as early as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON,
Washington, D. C. January 26, 1863.

General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief, Washington:

GENERAL: There does not appear to be much connection between the Army of the Potomac and the troops for the defense of Washington. Scarcely an order issued from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac applies here. On the contrary, the commander acts under order from the General-in-Chief or from the War Department. The duties being so different, cannot the defenses be made into a separate department,