Volunteers, Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, Stockton's Michigan Volunteers, McLean's Pennsylvania Volunteers. The brigade will form part of the division of Brigadier General F. J. Porter, which it will proceed to join with as little delay as practicable.

8. The Third New Hampshire Volunteers will, with as little delay as practicable, join the brigade of Brigadier-General Hooker, who will assign it to the duty of guarding the line of the railroad between Bladensburg and Annapolis Junction. Upon being relieved by the Third New Hampshire Regiment, Colonel Morse will withdraw the portion of his command now engaged in this duty to Annapolis Junction.

* *

16. Upon the arrival of Hancock's brigade the regiments of King's brigade temporarily serving in Smith's division will be relieved from duty therein, and will be concentrated under the orders of Brigadier-General King on this side of the Chain Bridge.

* *

By command of Major-General McClellan:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Numbers 82.
Washington, September 28, 1861.

* *

8. The following-named regiments and brigades will constitute the division of Brigadier General W. F. Smith: First Brigade, to be commanded, until further orders, by the senior colonel-Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Vermont Volunteers. Second Brigade, to be commanded by Colonel Isaac I. Stevens-Thirty-third and Seventy-ninth New York Volunteers, Sixth Maine Volunteers, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Third Brigade, to be commanded by Brigadier General W. S. Hancock-Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Forty-third and Forty-ninth New York Volunteers, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers. This assignment will be carried into effect with as little delay as practicable. This assignment will be carried into effect with as little delay as practicable. The necessary orders for that purpose will be given by the commanding officers concerned.

9. The Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers is assigned to King's brigade in lieu of the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, hereby assigned to Hancock's brigade, and will report accordingly with as little delay as practicable.

* *

By command of Major-General McClellan:

S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]

HEADQUARTERS CORPS OF OBSERVATION,
Poolesvile, September 28, 1861.

Colonel J. W. GEARY,

Commanding at Point of Rocks:

DEAR COLONEL: Yours of this morning's date is received.* If you should be attacked I will stand by you. Can you not send on Buxton here? I would like to talk with him and learn the positions of Johnston's troops, &c.

Yours, very truly,

CHAS. P. STONE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[5.]

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*See VOL. V, p. 606.

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