FIRST BRIGADE, FRANKLIN'S DIVISION,

Centerville, March 10, 1862-1.30 p. m.

Captain PURDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: As I informed you yesterday, I was led to drive back the enemy's pickets, from information that seemed somewhat reliable. At night I occupied Burke's Station carefully and Fairfax Station, and the intermediate line, as well as Sangster's Station, with regiments or strong detachments. This morning I occupied at 12.30 p. m. Centerville with a detachment of the First Infantry, the regiment following, entering Centerville by the old Braddock road. The last detachment of the enemy left late last night, blowing up the bridges on Cub and Bull Runs. I have also this day occupied Sangster's Station with the Third New Jersey Volunteers, pushing heavy detachments to the front. I was without orders, but necessarily found myself occupying the country in advance of all the columns, as a necessary precaution for my own flanks, even securing Burke's Station and all that railroad most perfectly.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. KEARNY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

P. S.-I have to state that at Fairfax Court-House, as at Centerville, the columns found my troops previously in occupation.

KEARNY.

[5.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Firfax Court-House, March 11, 1862-9 a. m.

General R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff:

The troops to-night will be as follows: McDowell at Centerville and Germantown; Porter and Franklin here; Smith, Flint Hill; McCall, Hunter's Mill; Blenker, near Burke's Station; Sumner at Sangster's or at Union Mills if railway can be repaired in time; Cooke at Centerville; headquarters here. See that supplies reach. No new orders given the regular infantry and Hunt's artillery; they halt.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.

[5.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Fairfax Court-House, March 11, 1862-9 p. m.

General R. B. MARCY:

Dispatch received. It is impossible for me to come in to-night. I am completely tired out. Be careful to have copies of all my dispatches of any importance sent to the President and Secretary. See the Secretary about ordering transportation to Washington.

G. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General.

[5.]

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Numbers 71.
Fairfax Court-House, Va., March 12, 1862.

Brigadier General James S. Wadworth is relieved from duty with his brigade and will report in person to the honorable Secretary of War.

By command of Major-General McClellan:

A. V. COLBURN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]