MARCH 3, 1862.

Brigadier General W. S. ROSECRANS, Wheeling:

Before receiving your dispatches in regard to General Schenck an order had been issued placing General Shields in command of Lander's troops. The limits of your department are extended to-day to valley of South Branch of Potomac.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General.

[5.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, D. C., March 3, 1862.

General ROSECRANS, Wheeling, Va.:

The limits of your department have been extended to take in the valleys of the South Branch of the Potomac, the Cow Pasture Branch of James, the valley of the James to Balcony Falls, the valley of the roanoke west of the Blue ridge, and the New River Valley. The order will be sent as soon as ready from the Adjutant-General's Office. The General-in-Chief directs that you at once cause an inpsection of the railroad guards, and the troops in this new portion of your department to be made. General Lander's available force will go to Bunker Hill and be joined by General Williams' brigade. Banks has two brigades at Charlestown, and Sedgwick two at Harper's Ferry. This occupation will prevent any large force of the enemy moving on Romney or vicinity. Please examine the case at once and state what re-enforcements to your command, if any, are necessary. State whether you will require any more cavalry.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,

March 3, 1862.

Brigadier General ROBERT C. SCHENCK, Wheeling, Va.:

Yesterday, upon receipt of General Lander's illness, Major-General McClellan placed General Shields in command of the division, or I should be happy to confer the command upon yourself.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

[5.]

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Numbers 13.
Fort Monroe, Va., March 3, 1862.

In order to facilitate the administration of justice by general court-martial, and by authority of the act of Congress approved December 21, 1861, the command at Newport News, consisting of Captain Howard's light Company L, Fourth Artillery, the First, Second, Seventh, and Eleventh Regiments New York Volunteers, the Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and the Twenty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers is constituted a separate brigade, to be known as the First Brigade, First Division of the Department of Virginia, to be commanded by Brigadier General J. K. F. Mansfield, U. S. Army.

By command of Major-General Wool:

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[9.]