E.D. Townsend to The court was cleared for discussion, November 24, 1862

Washington, November 24, 1862.

Official copy, J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General.

The official copy of the foregoing letter of General McDowell to the President is appended to the proceedings, marked E.*

The recorder then read to the court Special Orders, No. 362, current series, from the Headquarters of the Army, as follows:

SPECIAL ORDERS, } Hpgrs. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, No. 362. Washington, November 25, 1862.

I. The Court of Inquiry instituted in Special Orders, No. 350, of November 17, 1862, from the Headquarters of the Army, will make the investigation asked for by MajorGeneral McDowell, U. 8. Volunteers, in his letter to the President, datod Septembor 6, 1862, and will report the facts and an opinion in the case.

By command of Major-General Halleck:

Assistant Adjutant-General.

The court was cleared for discussion.

_ The court was opened and the following decision respecting a proposition for deciding a course of investigation was announced :

1. That General McDowell be informed that the court invite and

will receive any plan of investigation which he is prepared to submit

in writing to be considered by the court. si

_2. That the members of the court individually digest for consideration their several plans of investigation.