WHEELING, March 29, 1862.

(Received 3.45 p. M.)

Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Force ordered to Romney as directed.

J. C. FREMONT,

Major-General, commanding.

[12.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, No. 5.
Wheeling, March 29, 1862.

I. In pursuance of the President's War Orders, No. 3, of March 11, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this department.

II. The chiefs of the several departments of the staff will remain in the performance of their duties, as heretofore, until further orders.

J. C. FREMONT,

Major-General, commanding.

[12.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT. No. 6.
Wheeling, March 29, 1862.

All of Western Virginia north and east of the counties of Jackson Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Barbour, and Tucker, inclusive, and west of the Alleghanies, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, will until further orders, constitute the Railroad District. Brigadier General B. F. Kelley, volunteers, is assigned to the command.

By order of Major-General Fremont:

HENRY THRALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[12.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, No. 7.
Wheeling, March 29, 1862.

Until further orders, Captain Albert Tracy, aide-de-camp, is assigned to duty as assistant adjutant-general.

J. C. FREMONT,

Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Department.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS GENERAL PORTER, Near Hampton, Va., March 20, 1862.

(Received 7 p. M.)

Major General G. B. McCLELLAN:

Made reconnaissance enforce 27th to Big Bethel and five miles beyond, and also within three miles of Young's Mills; no fighting. Enemy's pickets retired as we advanced. Skirmishers found at ---- bridge a battery with ---- infantry. From all I learn the roads are much obstructed by felled timber and every stream dammed, rendering impossible to cross except at particular places, where are batteries, from which the enemy can be easily driven. From York [town] through Williamsburg to James River, breast-works are going up. Beyond York[town] and Williamsburg can hear of no obstruction and no greater force this side than 15,000 men. The presence of the chiefs of