WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 5, 1863.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.,:

General Kelley is of the opinion that a large force of the enemy is moving on Winchester. I will telegraph you again when I hear from Heintzelman's scouts.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

BALTIMORE, MD. January 5, 1863

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

The following dispatch has been received from General Kelley:

HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., January 4, 1863

Colonel WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore:

A dispatch just received from General Milroy advises me that he anticipates an attack soon. I have no doubt that the enemy will make a powerful effort to prevent the working of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and to drive us out of the valley. May I suggest to you the importance of taking steps at once to have re-enforcements sent into the valley? If Heintzelman's troops were extended up as far as Snicker's Gap or Leesburg, with orders to support Milroy if necessary, it would be a good move. The following is an extract from General Milroy's dispatch; "I have reason to believe, from information received from various sources, that an attack in heavy force will be made on this place soon."

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

General Milroya is at Winchester. Can I promise General Kelley any support from General Heintzelman, or the Army of the Potomac, in that direction?

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,

Major-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 5, 1863.

Major-General, SCHENCK, Baltimore, Md.:

Have you any further information from Harper's Ferry or Winchester? Any re-enforcements sent from here should go by railroad.

H. W. HALLECK.

General-in-Chief.

BALTIMORE, MD. January 5, 1863

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

I have just received the following dispatch from Brigadier-General.

Kelley:

HARPER'S FERRY, [W.] VA., January 5, 1863.

Colonel WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore:

Your telegram received last night. A dispatch from Colonel Mulligan, dated at Moorefield yesterday evening, informs me that he had just arrived with his regiment, and that General Jones was in the vicinity of the town with 2,500 infantry, besides some cavalry and artillery. The wire has been cut during the night. I cannot hear