appointed major-general of the volunteer regiments of New York, and beg leave respectfully to inform you that I have referred it to the General-in-Chief for his consideration and action.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

[2.]

FIRST DIVISION NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,

Headquarters, New York, May 18, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: The Governor of the State of New York has assigned to my division nine regiments, several of which will be in readiness to move as soon as they can be armed, and it is undestood that a supply of arms will be received from Springfield early next week. The Governor, who is here, informs me that he has received your directions to send nine regiments to Fort Monroe and five to the city of Washington. It is proposed, unless you otherwise direct, that the regiment composing my division be sent to Fort Monroe, with the exception of the Eleventh (Firemen Zouves) now on duty at the capital.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully referred to the General-in-Chief.

MAY 20, 1861.

I do not hesitate to say that in my opinion Major-General Dix would make a most excellent commander of the new military department of which Fort Monroe is to be the headquarters, and at which place his entire division (nine regiments) will soon be assembled.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War:

WINFIELD SCOTT.

[2.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, May 20, 1861.

General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, U. S. Army,

Cincinnati, Ohio:

Your letter of May 14 is received. The General-in-Chief says you have by this time General Orders, Numbers 19, extending your command over Western Virginia and Pennsylvania north of the Great Kanawha, &c.

Your authority is ample within your command.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[2.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, Numbers 26.
Washington, D. C., May 21, 1861.

Major Thomas W. Sherman, Third Regiment U. S. Artillery, is hereby appointed chief of the light batteries of this command, and will be responsible for the drill and efficiency.

By command of Brigadier-General Mansfield:

THEO. TALBOT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[2.]