WAR DEPARTMENT,

July 6, 1864 - 3. 10 p. m.

Major-General COUCH,

Harrisburg:

A telegram from General Sigel, just received, states that the enemy, to the number of 20,000 or 30,000, have been crossing at Antietam Ford and Shepherdstown for forty hours. Your telegram received at the same time makes no mention of any enemy, except "Imboden's men stealing a few horses. " We have nothing to confirm General Sigel's report. Have you any information from Antietam Ford or Shepherdstown? Answer immediately what measures you have taken to obtain accurate information of the enemy's movements, and the facts so far as you have learned.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

HARRISBURG, PA., July 6, 1864.

(Received 2 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Do you approve of the plan forwarded yesterday to raise troops for State defense, if mustering into United States service is substituted for State service and Maryland? If so, will you give orders to mustering officers accordingly?

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

July 6, 1864 - 4. 30 p. m.

Major-General COUCH,

Harrisburg:

The arrangement submitted by you and Governor Curtin is approved if the troops are mustered into service of the United States for 100 days, to be reckoned as in other States, from the time when the regiment, at not less than minimum strength, is mustered in, and the troops to serve in the District of Columbia of Columbia and the vicinity as well as in Maryland and Pennsylvania. I suppose you and the Governor contemplated service if required in the works around Washington and Alexandria, and the Department would not desire to send them farther south. General Grant thinks Ewell's corps designs operating in the North.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of war.

HARRISBURG, PA., July 6, 1864.

(Received 5. 35 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Our cavalry, 125 men, were driven out of Hagerstown at 1 p. m. Rebel force about 300. I have requested all discharged troops in