Allow me to call attention to the establishment of telegraph communication via the railroad to Culpeper. For the present I will keep up communication between Culpeper and Warrenton by a line of estafettes, without I find at the former a readier mode of reaching you.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CORPS,
Sulphur Springs, August 5, 1862.

Major-General POPE,

Near Washington, Va.:

Agreeably to your orders, to be informed when Ricketts' and Charroll's troops shall have reached a point one day's march from Culpeper, I have to acquaint you that by a report just received they are near Hazel Run, and to-morrow will be in Culpeper.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CORPS,
Warrenton Springs, August 5, 1862.

Major-General POPE,

Near Washington, Va.:

I sent you by mail on the 3rd instant a report of the engineer officer whom I sent to examine Ely's Ford and the Germanna Mills Crossing. As it may not arrive, I report the substance of his statement. At Germanna Mills there is no ford. There was a bridge, which the enemy burned. The distance between the abutments is about 200 feet. The piers are six in number, all standing but the center one; distance between pier, 30 feet; height above river, 30 feet; in timber abundant in vicinity; steam saw-mill in good order, with considerable lumber on hand; Ely's Ford good, but approaches bad. I will remark that it is as near, and it is a sure road to come up the left bank of the Rappahannock and cross either at Norman's Ford or at the one right below.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Centreville [?], August 5, 1862-12 m.

Major-General McDOWELL:

GENERAL: None of Sigel's force has been ordered to Fairfax Court-House or to the rear. Arrest all men from it straggling to the rear.

GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,

Numbers 181.
Washington, August 5, 1862.

* * * * * * *

VIII. Brigadier General W. L. Elliott is relieved from duty with the Army of