HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 16, 1863.

Major-General SLOCUM:

The forces of dismounted of General Pleasonton have been ordered to Dumfries, to relieve your brigade there. Have your orders your brigade to join as soon as they arrive?

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

DUMFRIES, April 16, 1863.

Major-General SLOCUM,

Commanding Twelfth Corps:

A detachment of the Second Division, Ovarial's cavalry, are here, numbering 300. The remainder will be here during the day. With the roads as they are, from reports of the cavalry officers, it will almost be impossible to get the artillery and wagons over them. Their wagons are not expected until to-morrow. Rain and storm were severer yesterday that when the corps passed, and the roads are in a worse condition. Please answer if I shall start to-morrow.

CHAS. CANDY.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 16, 1863.

Major-General SLOCUM,

Commanding Twelfth Corps:

The following dispatch to Colonel Duffie, at Dumfries, is forwarded for your information:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 16, 1863.

Colonel DUFFIE, Dumfries;

The major-general commanding directs that you do not relieve the infantry picket to-morrow morning; will endeavor to get arms for you to-morrow. The horses must not be used for picket duty; they must be recruited.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General, &c.

DUMFRIES, April 16, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel H. C. RODGERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Colonel Duffie, commanding cavalry, has orders, has orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac not to relieve my pickets to-morrow. Out of 1,027 men, he has only 95 arched with carbines. Made arrangements to starts in the morning, but will have to wait until his men are armed.

CHAS. CANDY,

Colonel, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS,
April 16, 1863.

Henry C. Jenckes, major Second Rhode Island Volunteers, states that he was in command of a detail of 340 men from his regiment on