WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., April 30, 1862-5.35 p. M.

General GEARY:

You will continue with the force under your command on the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad to guard its reconstruction and protect it until further orders from this Department, detailing a sufficient force to guard it from Manassas Junction. You will also send back to General McDowell the squadron of cavalry sent as a guard a few days ago to General Banks' wagon train. Daily reports from your command to this Department by telegraph are also requested.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp Winfield Scott, May 1, 1862-9.30 p. M.

His Excellency the PRESIDENT, Washington, D. C.:

I asked for the Parrot guns from Washington for the reason that some expected had been to weeks nearly on the way, and could not be heard from. They arrived last night. My arrangements had been made for them, and I thought time might be saved by getting others from Washington. My object was to hasten, not procrastinate. All is being done that human labor can accomplish.*

G. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

[11.]

HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 1, 1862.

General KEYES:

I am informed from the headquarters of the army that there are indications of the enemy's attempting something on the right to-night or early in the morning. This may be a feint to cover an attack on the left. Be particularly vigilant.

E. V. SUMNER,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, commanding.

[11.]

HEADQUARTERES LEFT WING, May 1, 1862.

General RICHARDSON:

Orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac require that you be ready to move an hour before daylight. Have your whole command under arms and in readiness to move at 3 a. M. and await orders.

E. V. SUMNER,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, commanding.

[11.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, Opposite Fredericksburg, May 1, 1862.

Brigadier-General WADSWORTH,
Military Governor, &c., Washington, D. C.:

General McCall tells me his troops still guard the railroad, even as far back as Alexandria, and guard the bridges over Bull Run near

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*This in reply to Lincoln's dispatch of May 1, VOL. XI, Part III, p.130.

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