Darius N. Couch to Epwin M. Stanton, May 4, 1864

(Received 11.20 p. m. [a. m.].) Hon. Epwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

Your dispatch received. I will crowd the force by all practicable means. Blankets and arms are deficient. Carefully consider and grant, if possible, my request to exempt the National Guard from the present draft, making it fall on the shirks. There is great future value in this movement.

Governor of Ohio.

; Washington, May 4, 1864—9.45 a. m. Major-General WAtULACE,

The Governor of Ohio has been directed to send two regiments of militia to report to you at Baltimore. H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

WINCHESTER, V. A., May 4, 1864. Major-General Coucu,

Telegram of yesterday received. Signal men are ordered to proceed to Chambersburg, as requested. F. SIGEL,

GENERAL ORDERS, Hpgrs. Dept. oF THE SUSQUEHANNA, No. 381. f Chambersburg, Pa., May 4, 1864. I. To prevent the destruction of railroad property or outrage upon the traveling public by troops belonging to or passing through this department, it is hereby ordered that commanding officers of troops at posts where there are railroad depots will have sufficient guards thereat for the purpose of preserving order and arresting any drunken or disorderly soldiers who may be passing over the said roads.

I. I. The officers in charge of soldiers passing through this department will be held strictly responsible for the behavior of their men on railroad trains. When they fail or refuse to use their authority to enforce order and obedience among the troops the superintendent of the railroad is requested to report them to these headquarters with a statement of the facts.

III. If a disturbance occurs on any of the trains, the conductor of the same will, by telegraph or otherwise, notify the officer commanding troops at the most convenient point on the railroad, who will adopt such measures as may be, in his judgment, necessary to promote the interest of the service, protect the property of the road, and secure the safety of passengers.

By command of Major-General Couch :