FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE,

December 31, 1862-10.45 a.m.

General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE:

Stuart had a telegraph operator with him on his raid, and took all messages from the wires. I believe, from the fact that the line is not more frequently broken by them, that they obtain much information.

H. W. SLOCUM

BALTIMORE, MD. December 31, 1862

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

I am satisfied that no crossing of rebel cavalry was attempted yesterday at Harrisons' Island. Colonel Galligher, commanding at Point of Rocks, was unnecessarily alarmed and mistaken, as I supposed he might be. However, I took every precaution, by orders to General Kelley, and by sending troops up the road. The following is my late dispatch from General Kelley:

HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA.,

December 31, 1862-10 a.m.

Colonel WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore:

Nothing new this morning. I have sent out strong cavalry scouts toward Leesburg and above Charlestown. Progressing rapidly with the railroad. Will have it open for travel by January 6 or 8.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK.

Major-General.

Abstract from return of the Army of the Potomac,* Major General A. E. Burnside commanding, for December 31, 1862; camp near Falmouth, Va.

Present

for duty

Command. Officers Men Aggregate

present

Major-general and staff 28

-----

28

Escort to headquarters 3 63 81

Provost-marshall- 235 5,004 6,117

general and guard

Regular Engineer 2 402 428

Battalion

Volunteer Engineer 48 1,303 1,602

Brigade

Chief quartermaster and 16 93 166

troops

United States signal 45 169 214

corps

Artillery Reserve, Army 37 1,206 1,329

of the Potomac

Right grand division 1,852 34,505 44,089

Center grand division 1,910 34,878 44,097

Left grand division 2,238 41,349 51,337

Eleventh Corps 832 16,389 19,919

Twelfth Corps 738 13,426 15,916

Grand total 7,984 148,787 185,386

Pieces

of artillery

Command. Aggregate Aggregate Heav Field

present present y

and absent and absent

last

monthly

return

Major-general and staff 30 30 --- ---

Escort to headquarters 224 235 --- ----

Provost-marshall- 7,207 1,706 --- ----

general and guard

Regular Engineer 491 501 --- ----

Battalion

Volunteer Engineer 2,103 2,067 --- ----

Brigade

Chief quartermaster and 402 405 --- ----

troops

United States signal 229 233 --- ----

corps

Artillery Reserve, Army 1,562

-----

--- 56

of the Potomac

Right grand division 67,744 52,200 --- 94

Center grand division 64,625 68,855 --- 100

Left grand division 74,280 76,694 17 114

Eleventh Corps 25,539 22,799 --- 42

Twelfth Corps 22,943 20,756 --- 34

Grand total 267,379 246,481 17 440

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*Exclusive of the Defenses of Washington.

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