FALMOUTH, August 23, 1862.

(Received August 24, 12.45 p. m.)

General MORELL:

Reynolds has moved to Rappahannock Station. Go to Kelly's Ford and hold it. Griffin will join you after being relieved by Sykes. Artillery will join you to-morrow. Supplies also go up. Communicate often.

F. J. PORTER,

Major-General.

BALTIMORE, MD., August 23, 1862.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

If I execute your order and order away the three-months' men, the time of most of which expires on the 26th of this month, I will be unable to defend the forts of this city unless replaced by other troops. Shall I stop regiments for that purpose passing through the city?

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, August 23, 1862.

Major-General WOOL, Baltimore, Md.:

Replace them with any troops you can find at hand except those of General Cox.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,
Washington, August 23, 1862.

Numbers 204.

I. Brigadier General A. A. Humphreys, U. S. Volunteers, is relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac, and will repair to this city without delay and report in person for duty to Brigadier General S. Casey, U. S. Volunteers.

* * * * * * *

By command of Major-General Halleck:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Warrenton, August 24, 1862 - 9 p. m.

Major-General HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief:

The enemy withdrew his force across the Rappahannock, over a bridge which he had built there within a day or two, with only the loss of a few prisoners. The bridge was destroyed behind him and under the fire of his artillery and sharpshooters. There is no enemy on this side of the Rappahannock. I presume he is not yet ready to force the passage of that river for any forward movement. I think it likely that he is engaged in rebuilding the railroad bridge between the Rapidan