Joseph Hooker to Charles Kingsbury, Jr, March 31, 1863

March 31, 1863. Lieut. Col. CHARLES KINGSBURY, Jr., Assistant Adjutant-General, First Army Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that Colonel Fairchild has just returned from Lower Machodoc Creek. I inclose his report, a letter from Colonel Kress, in command of the cavalry, and some Richmond papers.* JI will send up in the course of [the day] a deserter or a prisoner. He came over with a furlough, or, as he says, for the purpose of deserting; wishes to take the oath of allegiance; has friends at Georgetown; brought his family up with him.

I think that reports confirm the opinion I have hitherto expressed as to the expediency of occupying the Neck with sufficient force of infantry and cavalry to intercept contraband trade, the supplies furnished to the enemy, and receive supplies for our own army. These supplies are taken from wealthy farmers, undisguised rebels, and who are only anxious to send their crops to the enemy. This force on the Neck would give facility to deserters from the enemy, and intercept his means of procuring information from within our lines. The wealthiest region on the Neck, on the Yocomico, is yet untouched by us. If the troops of this division are not required immediately for other purposes, I respectfully recommend that an expedition be sent to that point.

I beg leave further to report that this division is fully supplied with horses and mules, and to ask where the major-general commanding desires that the animals brought up by the expedition should be turned in?

JAS. 8S. WADSWORTH, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

* Inclosures not found.

SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, No. 87. } Camp near Falmouth, Va., March 31, 1863. * * * * * * *

I. I. Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, U. S. Volunteers, being the senior majorgeneral not in command of a corps, is temporarily assigned to the command of the Bleventh Corps, and will assume the duties appertaining thereto without delay. ; ‘

III. Brig. Gen. J. Gibbon, U. S, Volunteers, will report without delay, for assignment to duty, to Major-General Couch, commanding Second Corps.

XIII. In consequence of the continued bad weather, the circular from these headquarters, dated the 24th instant, suspending, after the 1st proximo, the operation of so much of General Orders, Nos. 3 and 10, of the present year, as authorizes leaves of absence and furloughs, is revoked, and leaves and furloughs may be granted as provided in those orders until otherwise directed.

By command of Major-General Hooker: