the Third Division, relieving Brigadier General B. S. Roberts, assigned to the command of the Fourth Separate Brigade, comprising a portion of the troops of Western Virginia, transferred to this department by General Orders, Numbers 66, War Department, 1863, the troops of the Third Division being assigned to the First Division, Brigadier-General Kelley commanding. The remainder of the troops in Western Virginia, Brigadier General E. P. Scammon commanding, constituted the Third Division of this department, and will be reported in next monthly return.

The First Separate Brigade is engaged in reveling illicit traffic between the lower counties of Maryland and Eastern Virginia. The Second Separate Brigade is engaged in garrisoning the forts around Baltimore, and guarding the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. The Third Separate Brigade is doing guard duty in and around Baltimore, and guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far as Monocacy Junction. They are also doing guard duty in and around Frederick City, Md.

The troops at Annapolis furnish guards for the general hospitals and the camp of the paroled prisoners. The troops at Philadelphia are doing guard and provost duty.

The troops at Fort Delaware are engaged in garrisoning the fort. The First Connecticut Cavalry are engaged as provost-guard and furnishing orderlies for the headquarters.

Abstract from return of the District of the Kanawha, Brigadier General E. P. Scammon, U. S. Army, commanding, for March 31, 1863.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present.

General headquarters 4 ---- 4

First Brigade (Hayes) 44 953 1,215

Second Brigade (White) 71 1,708 2,090

5th West Virginia 32 453 625

Cavalry (District) 32 698 808

Artillery 6 227 270

Total 189 4,039 5,012

Command. Aggregate present Pieces of

and absent. artillery.

General headquarters 4 ----

First Brigade (Hayes) 1,414 ----

Second Brigade (White) 2,386 ----

5th West Virginia 771 ----

Cavalry (District) 925 ----

Artillery 336 14

Total 5,836 14

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 1, 1863-2.30 a. m.

General SLOCUM, Twelfth Corps:

General Sickles, commanding third Corps, reports that he has just received word from his outposts that the enemy have appeared in force in his front. The commanding general therefore directs that you have your advance guards well on the alert, and your troops in readiness to meet this threatened demonstration.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 1, 1863.

Major-General SLOCUM:

The following is forwarded for your information, by order of Major-General Hooker:

POTOMAC CREEK-Midnight.

Major-General BUTTERFIELD:

I have just received the following from the commanding officer of my picket toward Hartwood:

"The colonel commanding infantry pickets has sent here a report that the cavalry