Charles P. Stone to Seth Williams, August 17, 1861
Maj. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General :
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this command arrived here the day before yesterday. The main body is encamped around the village, while Edwards Ferry, Conrad’s Ferry, and the Monocacy are oecupied by strong pickets. –
Small bodies of the enemy appeared yesterday opposite Edwards
Perry and fired on a canal-boat passing down. The fire was returned
by the pickets of the Minnesota regiment, without result, 1 think, on either side. The Thirty-fourth New York Regiment remains at Seneca. Pickets are thrown out to connect with those of General McCall at Great Falls. The weather remains most unfavorable for any movements, and the river has risen considerably in consequence of the rains. Fording is
now rendered difficult and dangerous.
I have been unable as yet to discover the presence of any large force opposite.
Very respectfully, I am, major, your most obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
— GENERAL "sadi HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
No. 15-Washington, August 17, 1861.
united into one, to which will be annexed the Valley of the Shenandoah, the whole of Maryland and of Delaware, to be denominated the
Department of the Potomac, under Major-General MeClellan—headquarters Washington—who will proceed to organize the troops under
him into divisions and independent brigades.