largely from your force at the Junction you are authorized to take the place, but do not under any circumstances reduce your force at the Junction so that you will not be able to give General Howard all the support that he will possibly require.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NOTE.- Your command will be withdrawn to join the main army as soon as circumstances will allow your being relieved by other troops. In the meantime the general desires that you gain all the information possible with reference to the position and movements of the enemy in your front and keep him thoroughly posted, so that he can give instructions to General Banks understandingly.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERES ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March 28, 1862.

General E. V. SUMNER,

Warrenton Junction:

The commanding general directs that you do not move from Warrenton Junction without further orders unless General Howard should require support. The general wishes you to keep your advanced guards well to the front to him hourly by telegraph the condition of affairs in your vicinity.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[12.]

SEMINARY, March 28, 1862.-10.05 a. M.

Major General N. P. BANKS,

Strasburg:

Dispatch from Sumner 4 p. M. yesterday says that he hed held Warrenton Junction, which was abandoned by the enemy on his approach. He does know the force of the enemy. Makes reconnaissance to-day to Rappahannock.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General, commanding.

[12.]

STRASBURG, March 29, 1862.

General S. WILLIAMS:

General Abercrombie's brigade, of Williams' division and Colonel Geary's regiment are on the road to Manassas, not having been recalled. They have seven companies of Brodhead's cavalry and one battery. The Second and Third Brigades are in front of Strasburg; the First, second and Third Brigades of General Shield's division are the advance brigades. Colonel Sullivan's about five miles. The entire cavalry force here is 938; fit for duty, 675 men. Infantry about 15,000 fit for duty. We have here in both division six batteries of artillery. If we remain on this line another regiment of cavalry beside the Vermont should be sent forward at once.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General.

[12.]