WASHINGTON, July 5, 1864 - 1 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point, Va.:

There has been no telegraphic communication with Harper's Ferry since yesterday, a little after noon; but we learn through the railroad company that Sigel had reached Maryland Heights and withdrawn all troops from south of the river, destroying the brigades. We can learn nothing whatever of Hunter. The enemy have destroyed bridges from Harper's Ferry to Patterson's Creek, where Kelley succeeded in driving them back. The line from the Monocacy to Harper's Ferry has been cut, and the re-enforcements sent from here fell back to the Monocacy. General Howe has been sent there with about 2,800 men, to force his way to Harper's Ferry. We have nothing reliable in regard to the enemy's force. Some accounts, probably very exaggerated, state it to be between 20,000 and 30,000. If one-half that number we cannot meet it in the field till Hunter's troops arrive. As you are aware, we have almost nothing in Baltimore or Washington, except militia, and considerable alarm has been created by sending troops from these places to re-enforce Harper's Ferry. You probably have a large dismounted cavalry force, and I would advise that it be sent here immediately. It can be remounted by impressing horses in the parts of Maryland likely to be overrun by the enemy. All the dismounted fragments here we armed as infantry and sent to Harper's Ferry.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

WASHINGTON, July 5, 1864 - 4. 30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point, Va.:

General Hunter has just been heard from at Parkersburg. Thirteen hundred of his men are coming forward to re-enforce General Kelley at Cumberland and New Creek.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

WASHINGTON, July 5, 1864 - 10. 30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point, Va.:

All available water transportation is now at Fort Monroe and in James River. General Meigs recommends that it all be placed under General Ingalls, as, by a divided command, there is conflict of orders. As Hunter's force is now coming within reach, I thing your operations should not be interfered with by sending troops here. If Washington and Baltimore should be so seriously threatened as to require your aid, I will inform you in time. Although most of our forces are not of a character suitable for the field (invalids and militia), yet I have no apprehensions at present about the safety of Washington, Baltimore, Harper's Ferry, or Cumberland. These points cover our supplies, and raids between cannot effect any damage that cannot soon be repaired. If, however, you can send us your dismounted cavalry, we can use it to advantage, and, perhaps soon return it remounted.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.