WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, June 28, 1863-12. 45 p. m.

Major-General COUCH, Harrisburg, Pa.:

You will co-operate, as far as possible, with General G. G. Meade, who now commands the Army of the Potomac, and who is authorized to assume the general command of all troops within the sphere of his operations. This authority embraces your command. Any information of the enemy's movements in your vicinity will be immediately telegraphed to General Meade.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

BRIDGEPORT, June 28, 1863-10. 20 a. m.

Brigadier-General SMITH, Governor's Rooms:

Captain Murry reports that the surrender of Mechanicsburg has been demanded by General Jenkins.

M. A. RENO,

Captain, and Chief of Staff.

WASHINGTON, June 28, 1863-4 p. m.

Major-General COUCH:

What news now? What are the enemy firing at 4 miles from your works?

A. LINCOLN.

HARRISBURG, PA., June 28, 1863-7. 40 p. m.

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

They have not up to this time made any show of attack in force. They are burning bridges on the Northern Central road. I may have lost 400 men in the vicinity of York and Gettysburg. Probably 15, 000 men within a short distance of my front.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, June 28, 1863.

Colonel FRICK, Commanding, Columbia:

York has surrendered. Our troops will fall back from there to Wrightsville to-night. If Major Haller is with them, he is my aide-de-camp. Have reliable men sent down to the Conowingo Bridge. Impress horses, and send good officers or volunteers. The commanding officer will take up planks, and in no event should that bridge fall into enemy's hands, or any fords. Tell the people of Lancaster that the time has come for action. Have all boats and rafts along the river brought on this side.

D. N. COUCH,
Major-General.

25 R R-VOL XXVII, PT III