EK. D. Townsend, April 26, 1861

No, 4. . Washington, April 26, 1861.

I. From the known assemblage near this city of numerous hostile bodies of troops it is evident that an attack upon it may be expected at any moment. In such an event, to meet and overwhelm the enemy, it is necessary that some plan of harmonious co-operation should be adopted on the part of all the forces, regular and volunteer, present for the defense of the capital—that is, for the defense of the Government, the peaceable inhabitants of the city, their property, the public buildings, and public archives.

II. At the first moment of an attack every regiment, battalion, squadron, and independent company will promptly assemble at its established rendezvous (in or out of the public buildings), ready for battle, and wait for orders.

III. The pickets (or advance-guards) will stand fast till driven in by overwhelming force; but it is expected that those stationed to defend bridges—having every advantage of positioa—will not give way till actually pushed by the bayonet. Such obstinacy on the part of pickets so stationed is absolutely necessary to give time for the troops in the rear to reach their places of rendezvous.

IV. All advance guards and pickets driven in will fall back slowly and delay the advance of the enemy as much as possible before repairing to their proper rendezvous.

Y. On the happening of an attack the troops lodged in the public buildings and in the navy-yard will remain for their defense, respectively, unless specially ordered elsewhere, with the exceptions that the Seventh New York Regiment and the Massachusetts regiment will march rapidly towards the President’s square for its defense, and the Rhode Island regiment (in the Department of the Interior) will make a diversion or detachment to assist in the defense of the General PostOffice building, if it be necessary.

EE. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Informal assignments.

The following assignment was informally made before the arrival of any volunteer regiments from the North. The officers passed the night

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

at their posts during the time of greatest danger. Since a sufficient force has been each night stationed in the public buildings, it is believed the officers generally hold themselves ready, in case of an alarm, to repair at once to their posts to give such advice and aid as they can. Since the assignment was made other officers have arrived, and some have left the city, which should perhaps cause a new arrangement to be made:

The staff of the General-in-Chief, General Totten and Captain Fry, to repair to headquarters on an alarm. Gen. L. Thomas to command in Georgetown. Major McDowell, assisted by Capt. J. N. Macomb and Lieutenant Woodruff, Topographical Engineers, assigned to Capitol

Capitol building. Captain Garesché to repair to the General PostOffice. Capt. W. F. Raynolds, Topographical Engineers, to the Patent Office. Captain Shiras to Corcoran’s building, corner of Fifteenth and F streets, where there are public offices. Colonel Larned to repair to Winder’s building. Major Hunter, paymaster, to the President’s mansion. Colonel Stone to command of Executive square, assisted by

-Captain Wright, as engineer. Capt. W. R. Palmer, Topographical

Engineers, to the Coast Survey. Capt. A.A. Humphreys to the Smithsonian Institution. Maj. H. Bache, Department of State. [Great seal. Captain Franklin, Topographical Engineers, Treasury building, and in charge of a depot of ammunition placed there for use in case of attack.

Washington, April 26, 1861.

Sir: The General-in-Chief directs that you proceed to the State of Pennsylvania, to take charge of the arrangements for conducting to this city the quota of troops called for from that State and other troops en route hither. You will give particular attention to keeping open the railroad from Harrisburg to Baltimore, for the purpose of securing a free communication with the capital of the United States.

In pursuit of this object you will receive from his excellency the governor such aid as he may be pleased to give; and, having accomplished it, you will return to this city and report.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,