Harper's Ferry, is in the hands of the rebels, but I do not believe it. My aide-de-camp Lieutenant Miller, and an orderly started for your headquarters at 2 p. m. yesterday. He has not been heard from since.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. O. HOWARD,

Major-General, Commanding.

[27.]

JUNE 19, 1863-7 a. m.

ORDERS FOR MARCH.]

Major-General BIRNEY:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you move your command to Gum Spring. General Meade has been ordered to move to Aldie. You will support General Meade if required and keep up communication with him. The country is reported full of guerrillas. Your dispatches and couriers should have escorts of ten or twelve men.

I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

O. H. HART,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[27.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 277.
Washington, June 23, 1863.

* * *

6. Brigadier General Gilman Marston, U. S. Volunteers, will report in person, without delay, to the War Department for orders.

* * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[27.]

WAR DEPARTMENT.,

Washington City, June 23, 1863.

Major-General HALLECK:

(Care of Major-General Schenck, Baltimore.)

General Hooker is here. When will you return?

EDWIN M. STANTON.

[27.]

BALTIMORE, June 23, 1863.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

I shall leave here at 3 p. m.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

[27.]

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
June 24, 1863.

Captain RYAN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to state, in reply to your note, that from information received from a scout (Davis) there is reason to believe