CATLETT'S, May 8, 1862.

(Received 4 p. m.)

Honorable P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Secretary of War:

Dispatch received.* Had just sent reconnaissance to strike Rappahannock, half way between railroad bridge and Fredericksburg. Will keep sharp lookout. Would like to have detachment of convenient size wander into my neighborhoo.

GEO. L. HARTSUFF,

Brigadier-General.

[12.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, D. C., May 8, 1862-10.25 a. m.

Brigadier General GEORGE L. HARTSUFF:

Secretary absent. Glad to find you alive and in motion. General Johnston has evacuated Williamsburg, but not ascertained where he will make next stand. McClellan at Williamsburg.

P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Secretary of War.

[12.]

NEW MARKET, May 8, 1862.

(Received 4.30 p. m.)

General L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General:

Our loss in the skirmish reported to the Secretary yesterday east of the mountains was 3 killed, 6 wounded, and 10 missing, of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

[12.]

NEW MARKET, May 8, 1862.

Colonel MILES,

Commanding Railroad Brigade:

Orders lately received make it necessary for us to concentrate every available soldier in this vicinity and toward Rappahannock. Will you send half the Tenth Maine Regiment and a good officer to Winchester to act as guards and provost-marshal, thereby relieving Lieutenant-Colonel McDowell and the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which are wanted as soon as they can be got here. Your men shall be relieved in ten days, if you require it. This case is urgent. Answer.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS SHIELDS' DIVISION,
Near New Market, May 8, 1862-4.30 p. m. (Received 11.20 p. m.)

Honorable P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Secretary of War:

Your dispatch received.* There is a rumor here that Jackson has been strongly re-enforced at Port Republic. Our cavalry have been

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*See VOL. XII, Part III, p. 142.

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