B. Babcock to Seth Williams, June 24, 1863

General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General: Order for march was received 9 a.m. My head of column reached Edwards Ferry at 1 p.m. Dispatch containing Slocum’s news received. O. O. HOWARD, Major-General. Washington, June 24, 1863—2.45 p. m. Major-General HOOKER : Just arrived. General Halleck informs me that there is not an available man for such purposes as my orders call for in Washington. Arrangements made to arm the Department clerks, so as to relieve the guards for storehouses, and put them between the forts. I now go to see Heintzelman’s returns ; then to the President. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Stuff. FREDERICK, M. D., June 24, 1863. (Copy received, War Department, 3.15 p. m.) Major-General HooKER, Headquarters Army of the Potomac: Ilearn beyond a doubt that the last of Lee’s entire army has passed through Martinsburg toward the Potomac. The last of them passed Monday night. The main body are crossing at Shepherdstown. Scouts report them building a pontoon bridge at Shepherdstown, Can see 4 from the mountain. Nine thousand men and sixteen pieces of artillery passed through Greencastle yesterday pm, 286 N. ©, V. A. W. V. A., M. D., P. A., ETC. (Cuar, XXXIX. Generals Ewell, Walker, ‘”‘Extra Billy” Smith, and Hays took up their headquarters day before yesterday at house 2 miles from Shepherdstown, on the Winchester pike. ‘ Large bodies of troops can be seen from South Mountain, at Antietam Furnace, by aid of glasses. Cavalry and pickets were drawn in this morning beyond Boonsborough. All of which may be considered as reliable.

B. [BABCOCK.]