WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, December 26, 1862.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Falmouth, Va.:

General Dix is also of the opinion that the enemy's force against him has increased, and asks for re-enforcements.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

DUMFRIES, VA., December 26, 1862-4 p.m.

Major ECKERT:

We are attacked by a large force of cavalry and a part or whole of a battery. Line cut south. There are several dead before my door. Several bullets have passed through my office. Expect to have line cut in our rear every moment. I shall remain as long as the command holds its own.

WM. E. HALL,

Operator.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 5. December 26, 1862.

I. In accordance with Special Orders, No. 360, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, and Special Orders, No. 35, Headquarters Center Grand Division, Major General George G. Meade herewith assumes command of the Fifth Army Corps.

II. The following-named officers will, for the present, constitute the staff of corps headquarters: Surg. R. O. Craig, medical director; Captain S. H. Weed, chief of artillery; Captain J. F. Caslow, chief quartermaster; Captain P. B. Spear, chief commissary; Lieutenant A. G. Mason, Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Captain Alexander Cox, aide-de-camp.

* * * * * * *

By command of Major-General Meade:

A. G. MASON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Baltimore, Md., December 26, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

The following telegram just received from Brigadier-General Kelley, at Cumberland, dated 9.30 p.m. yesterday:

General Cluseret sends me dispatch, dated at 9 o'clock last evening had appeared in his front, on the Strasburg and Front Royal road, in strong force, with cavalry and artillery. I have sent him all the cavalry I had to spare from Martinsburg and North Mountain. Please advise General Kenly, and, if possible, have Harper's Ferry strengthened. I intended to have gone there to-day, but cannot now.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

Cannot Harper's Ferry be re-enforced from Washington?

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,

Major-General, Commanding.