HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-5.50 p. M.

Brevet Major-General SUMNER:

GENERAL: General McClellan desires you to move Mansfield's corps across the fords and bridge over the Antietam and to take such position as may be designated for it by General Hooker. General McClellan desires that all the artillery, ammunition, and everything else appertaining to the corps, be gotten over without fail to-night, ready for action early in the morning. He also desires you to have the other corps of your command ready to march one hour before daylight to-morrow morning.

I am, general, very respectfully your obedient servant,
GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Aide-de-Camp.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-7.30 p. M.

Major-General SUMNER:

GENERAL: General McClellan desires you to place two batteries in position on the ridge in rear of general headquarters. These batteries are intended to guard the Antietam between the fords and this point. He desires that these batteries be established before daybreak to-morrow morning.

I am, general very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. D. RUGGLES.

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Centreville, September 16, 1862-7.45 a. M.

Major-General FRANKLIN:

GENERAL: The man O'Sullivan, who passed through your lines yesterday as a bearer of dispatches to Colonel Miles, has returned and informs me that Miles surrendered unconditionally at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, and that the rebels on this side of the river were rapidly recrossing to the Virginia side by our pontoon bridge at Harper's Ferry. He did not see this with his own eyes, but was so informed by perseons in whom he has implicit confidence. I think the enemy has abandoned the posiiton in front of us, but the fog is so dense that I have not yet been enabled to determine. If the enemy is in force here, I shall attack him this morning. The instant I know whether he is still here or not I shall inform you.

I would again caution you to watch Knoxville and Berlin with a small cavalry force, so that no enemy can get in your rear.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. B. McCLELLANL,

Major-General, Commanding.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

September 16, 1862-7.30 p. M.

Major-General FRANKLIN:

GENERAL: General McClellan directs me to say that he still desires you to occupy Maryland Heights. If, however, this should prove