WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, July 30, 1864-2 p. m.

General HALLECK:

We have no communication with Harper's Ferry. The wires are broken beyond Poolesville, and Mosby is reported to be at Adamstown with between 300 and 400 men. He has destroyed the wires and has possession of the railroad there. Your last two dispatches to General Hunter are still here awaiting opportunity to forward them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. T. ECKERT,

Major, &c.

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 30, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff;

SIR: I have the honor to state that I have perfected arrangements for the prompt shipment of 5,000 men from Washington to Monocacy or Frederick. The men will be loaded as rapidly as they can now reach the station. Should you find it desirable to forward any artillery or wagons by the railroad, I find that on two hours' notice we can furnish a large equipment for that purpose.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

J. W. GARRETT.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 254.
Washington, July 30, 1864.

* * *

18. Lieutenant Colonel William Sinclair, assistant inspector-general, will report, without delay, to Major-General Hunter, U. S. Volunteers, for the purpose of making an inspection of the troops and disbursing branches of the service in the Department of West Virginia. On the completion of this duty Lieutenant-Colonel Sinclair will return to this city and report the result of his inspection to this Department.

19. Major William Painter, additional aide-de-camp, will report, without delay, to Lieutenant-Colonel Sinclair, assistant inspector-general, for temporary inspection duty in the Department of West Virginia, on the completion of which he will rejoin his station in this city.

* * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Numbers 140.
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 30, 1864.

1. The Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Middleton commanding, is hereby relieved from duty in the First Cav-

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