PROVIDENCE, September 11, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War:

Governor Sprague has left for Washington. Third Regiment now at Fort Hamilton; Fourth Regiment ready to leave here next week.

BYRON SPRAGUE,

Aide-de-Camp.

[September 12, 1861.-For Cameron to Butler authorizing preparation of an expeditionary force, see Series I, Vol. VI, p. 677.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, September 12, 1861.

Brigadier General A. E. BURNSIDE, U. S. Army,

Washington:

GENERAL: Major-General McClellan directs that you proceed to New England, and there raise and organize a force of two brigades, of five regiments, each of men from that brigades, of five regiments, each of men from that section of country. The object of this organization, the character of the men to be received and other important features of the plan proposed will be learned from the accompanying copy of a letter from Major-General McClellan to the Honorable Secretary of War of September 6, 1861,* approved by the Secretary September 11, 1861, which is inclosed for your obedient servant,

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., September 12, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War:

I think I could raise without difficulty three more regiments of cavalry and another battalion of artillery. Had I not better do it white I can? Apathy is stealing over even Illinois.

RICHARD YATES,

Governor of Illinois.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, September 12, 1861.

Governor YATES,

Springfield, Ill.:

You are authorized to raise three more regiments of cavalry.

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

September 12, 1861.

Honorable RICHARD YATES,

Governor, Springfield:

This Department will accept one more regiment of artillery from your State.

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

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*Quoted in McClellan's report. See Series I, Vol. V, p. 36.

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