Chas. N. Turnbull to Daniel Butterfield, June 24, 1863

General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: It is reported to me that General Stahel has arrived at Gainesville on his return. WINFE’D S. HANCOCK, Major-General. HaNncock’s HEADQUARTERS, June 24, 1863. General BUTTERFIELD : An Irishman came into my lines this morning, who says he left Harrisonburg four days ago, taking the turnpike through Wood- ‘stock, Strasburg, and Front Royal, following down the railroad to this place. He says he saw no trains, and no troops excepting about Markham Station, in the mountains. I will send him in the first opportunity. WINF’D 8S. HANCOCK, Major-General. —_—_— JUNE 24, 1863. Major-General HEINTZELMAN: By direction of General Hooker, I leave for Washington in a few moments. – Please have ready for me copies of your returns, and all information as to the character and position of your troops. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. Navy-YARD, June 24, 1863—8.45 a. m. General S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G., Headquarters Army of the Potomac: Not having as yet a reply to my dispatch of 1.30 a. m. to-day, I feel it a’duty to report, after examination this morning, that I have about 360 of the Fiftieth Regiment above, under orders to Monocacy Bridge, and nearly 300 regulars for Edwards Ferry bridge, ample in each case for their care and relaying. Although my men have been constantly at hard labor since their arrival, by which only I have been able to have those two bridges ready, I have 5 large barges still unloaded, containing the canvas and TWatarien pontoons, about to repair and overhaul, besides 40 other pontoons. My workshop companies, about 135 men; and Colonel Pettes reports only 150 effective men here of his regiment, and Major Cassin, of the Fifteenth Regiment, reports about 250 effective men and about 100 absent without leave or mutinous, this force in part being a!l needed for a few days to work at the above material. Besides, there are nearly 1,100 animals of the command still here, and the empty trucks and wagons of the 152 boats above. nar, XXXIX] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. If these pontoons are to be used only on the line of the canal, these animals had best remain here, if the pontoons are wanted in the interior above. These animals and the trucks will require the effective force still here for their guard on the march, being about 400 men. Will the general please direct if the labor here of unloading boats and refitting pontoons shall be left to the small working force of 1385 men, and, if so, whether the balance of the command shall move up with or without the animals and the trucks? I cannot but feel that he will approve my awaiting his decision while all in readiness for it. H. W. BENHAM, Brigadier-General. LEESBURG, V. A., June 24, 1863—9 a. m. (Received, War Department, 11.10 a. m.) Major-General HooKER: It is reported that a force of 6,000 infantry and cavalry moved from Snicker’s Gap to Hamilton yesterday afternoon. They were in camp at that place last night. I think a still larger force moved out as far as Round Hill. H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General. (Sent to corps commanders at 11.30 a. m.) LEESBURG, V. A., June 24, 1863. (Copy received 9.40 a. m.) Major-General HooKER: It is reported that Longstreet has advanced to Round Hill, 6 miles this side of Snicker’s Gap. Ihaveno cavalry and no meansof watching his movements. LEESBURG, June 24, 1863. (Copy received, War Department, 11 a. m.) Major-General HOOKER: I need more artillery and some cavalry. H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General. BURKE’S STATION, June 24, 1863—12 noon. Major-General HOOKER: My train has to wait here until 12.15. Shall not probably arrive at Washington before 2. If Jeff comes, send him right in. I might use Dickinson if you will not need him to-morrow. Let him come with Jeff., and report to me at 221 to-night, or Kutaw, Baltimore, if I have left Washington. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General. 282 N.0., V. A. W. V. A., M. D., P. A., ETC. [Cnar. XXXTx. JUNE 24, 1863—12 m. Major-General HEINTZELMAN : I request that your medical director will give directions for the removal of all of his sick and supplies in advance of the line of defenses around Alexandria to within those lines. Should we march from here, I presume that the line to be held will be the exterior line of the works themselves. © HOOKER, Major-General. EDWARDS FERRY, June 24, 1863—12.30 p. m. Brigadier-General BENHAM, Navy-Yard : The following dispatch has just been received, and the order will be executed, viz HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, June 24, 1863. Captain TURNBULL, Hdwards Ferry: Another bridge has been sent for, and when it reaches Edwards Ferry, please stop it, and have it thrown over the river near your present bridge. ° HOOKER, Major-General. CHAS. N. TURNBULL, Captain of Engineers, Commanding. EDWARDS FERRY, June 24, 1863—12.30 p. m. Major-General HooKErR, Commanding Army of the Potomac: Your dispatch just received, and orders will be executed. The bridge is not expected to reach here before some time to-night. HAS. N. TURNBULL, Captain of Engineer Brigade. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, June 24, 1863—12.45 p. m. General H. W. BenHam, Navy-Yard: The commanding general desires to be informed how long it will take to ps the bridges, &c., you have with you ina condition to be left with a small guard, but held in readiness for immediate service should they be rene When.can the remainder of your command you have with you move ? Navy-Yarp, June 24, 1863. General S. WILLIAMs, Assistant Adjutant-General: Your dispatch just received. The bridges here, with the command now here, can be put in good service order by Monday or Tuesday next, the 29th or 30th instant, and this command can then move. We have been working assiduously all day to comply with the order to [move to] the Monocacy, and I had issued the order for our menand teams to start this p.-m., at 5 o’clock, intending to reach the Monocacy by noon to-morrow, if possible, and expecting to leave the work to be done more slowly by the workshop force here. From the tenor of your dispatch, I judge the general wishes me to remain and complete this work, and i shall revoke the order to start at 5p. m. until [hear from you. Should you so order, I may still start in time to reach the Monocacy possibly to-morrow night, if this is important. Brigadier-General. EDWARDS FERRY, June 24, 1863—12.45 p. m. General H. W. Brenna, Navy-Yard: If heavy supply trains are to continue crossing this bridge, we shall need at once a sufficient quantity of 2-inch plank to cover the roadway, 1,580 feet in length, in order to save the chesses. The bridge over the canal also needs repairs badly, and I have no lumber to do it with.

CHAS. N. TURNBULL,