WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, D. C., May 27, 1862-9.20 p. m.

Colonel JOHN S. CLARK,

Harper's Ferry:

Report yourself to General Banks. I am much obliged by your information.*

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

[12.]

HARPER'S FERRY,

May 27, 1862. (Received 10 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON:

General Saxton having retired, I respectfully inform you without disturbing him that by telegraph received this moment from agent Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Point of Rocks, refugees are passing there in great numbers from Virginia, who state that rebel cavalry are at Leesburg, Waterford, and other points in Loudoun, and requesting troops should be stationed there. Our troops in number foot up 8,158 for duty. None can be spared from here. Musekt firing is this moment heard from our advance pickets between this and Halltown.

Respectfully,

D. S. MILES,

Colonel Second Infantry.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
May 28, 1862-2 a. m.

General MARCY, Chief of Staff:

Sedgwick's division will march for Cold Harbor at daybreakl. The four-wheel ambulances will be sent immediately.

E. V. SUMNER,

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

[11.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Manassas, May 28, 1862.

Honorable E. M. STANTON:

The artillery and cavalry of Ord's division have just arrived from Bacon Race Church.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT,
Manassas, May 28, 1862.

Colonel HAUPT, War Department, Washington:

I informed you yesterday that the bridge corps was to come forward at once. General McDowell wishes you to come here as soon as possible, and he desires you on your way hither to make yourself acquainted with the capacity of the railroad, which will in all probability be tried to its utmost.

E. SCHRIVER,

Chief of Staff.

[12.]

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*See VOL. XII, Part III, p. 263.

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