CHAP. LXIII.]

MIDDLETOWN, VA., June 27, 1862 - 8 p. m.

[Received 9 p. m.]

Hon EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

All is quiet to night. Plenty of rumors which call out our cavalry on scouting duty, but no demonstrations on the part of the enemy.

N. P. BANKS,

Major - General, Commanding.

[12.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, D. C., June 27, 1862.

Major - General FREMONT,

Middletown:

Your telegram requesting ten days' leave of absence has been submitted to the President, who directs me to say that at the present time the exigencies of the service require that you should remain with your commadn. Leave of absence, therefore, cannot be granted.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

[12.]

MIDDLETOWN, June 27, 1862 - 12. 30 p. m.

[Received 12. 45 p. m.]

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

I have the honor to acknowledge dispatch of this date declining to grant the leave of absence asked for by me yesterday.

J. C. FREMONT,

Major - General, U. S. Army.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 28, 1862 - 5. 30 p. m.

Brigadier General F. J. PORTER:

There is quite a brisk firing at railroad bridge and at Bottom's Bridge, and as we have but a very small force here the commanding general desires that you at once order down Sykes' division, provided everything is quiet in your front. Please let them leave camp if possible so as to have the troops observed by the enemy. Please acknowledge.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant - General.

[11.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 28, 1862 - 6 p. m.

Brigadier General F. J. PORTER:

The firing at the railroad and Bottom's Bridge still continues very brisk. Hurry Sykes' division down.

S. WILLIAMS.

Assistant Adjutant - General.

[11.]