schooners can get away. The wharf encumbered. This will delay General Hartsuff until 2 or 3 p. m. I shall accompany the last of command.

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General, Commanding.

AQUIA CREEK, May 16, 1862.

Major-General McDOWELL:

General Hartsuff will not be able to get all his men aboard before 12 o'clock, leaving his luggage to follow, because his men will have to be lightened aboard, and it is slow work.

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General Volunteers.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

May 26, 1862-7.50 p. m.

Major-General ORD, Alexandria:

Your force is to be moved speedily as possible upon Manassas. General Wadsworth is at Alexandria to assist in the movement. Cars for transportation have been ordered from here to Alexandria.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

ALEXANDRIA, May 26, 1862.

(Received 9.10 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I shall get Ricketts' brigade off to-night, and take all the cars. Hartsuff's brigade must wait till morning, when the cars return. I have brought but the two brigades of infantry. Three batteries of artillery of my division and seven companies of cavalry General McDowell directed to come here by land via Dumfries. Is there not some mistake in this direction? If so, the artillery and cavalry should be met and sent aright. Ricketts' officers had to come here without their blankets. Can they not have one hundred from the hospital department here sent them?

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General Volunteers.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

May 26, 1862-9.52 p. m.

Major-General ORD, Alexandria:

The artillery and cavalry sent by land via Dumfries should be met and directed by the best way upon Manassas. Order has been given for blankets for Ricketts' brigade.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.