and the confidence in my management may be entirely destroyed, in which case it would be a great wrong for me to retain this command for a single day; and, as I before said, I will most cheerfully give place to any other officer.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General, Commanding Army of the Potomac.

WASHINGTON, January 1, 1863-8.10 p.m.

General J. G. PARKE, Chief of Staff:

Am still detained by the President and General Halleck, but hope to be down by daylight in the morning. What have you new?

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

January 1, 1863

Major General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Willard's:

Stahel reports scouts found no enemy in his front. General Sumner reports the enemy as very busy throwing up new works constantly. No more from Averell since the dispatch sent you, received from him at Warrenton.

JNumbers G. PARKE,
Chief of Staff.

WASHINGTON, January 2, 1863

Major General HORATIO G. Wright, Cincinnati, Ohio:

What is General Cox's force, now inn the Kanawha Valley?

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

CINCINNATI, January 2, 1863

Major-General HALLECK:

About 8,000 present for duty, not including Ewing's brigade, now on the way to Kentucky.

H. G. WRIGHT.

DUMFRIES, January 2, 1863

Major-General SLOCUM:

Scouts and scouting party returned from Brentswille. Report a small force there (about 300), supposed to be cavalry. Shall keep a scout in that direction.

CHAS. CANDY.

Colonel, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 3, 1863

Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.,:

Information, reported reliable, indicates that the enemy is preparing a raid by the Upper Rappahannock, either upon Harper's Ferry or