Robt. Williams to George B. McClellan, August 20, 1861

General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Washington, D. C.: ;

I have near here 10,860 infantry, 549 artillerymen, 333 cavalry, and fourteen pieces light artillery. At Frederick the First Maryland Regiment, nearly 750, and the Fourth Connecticut Regiment, nearly 750. At Sharpsburg nearly 1,000. Detailed report will be sent by mail. No — news here this evening.

N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

August 20, 1861.

Colonel GEARY, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment: — . mE SIR: The General Commanding directs that you station detachments from your regiment at the different fords on the,Potomae River from Harper’s Ferry to the Monocacy Aqueduet. These will relieve Colonels -Donnelly’s and Gordon’s regiments. You will at once send the four . pieees of the Rhode Island Battery, now at Point of Rocks, to rejoin its brigade at this place. On being relieved by your detachments, Colonels Donnelly’s and Gordon’s regiments, with the two guns of the Rhode Island Battery, now at Berlin, will rejoin their respective brigades. The General wishes you as far as possible to put a stop to all intercourse with the State of Virginia in the vicinity of your posts. Should you be forced to retire by largely superior forces of the enemy, you will endeavor to concentrate your regiment as much as you can in retreating and retire upon Hyattstown, where your brigade will be for the present. You will at once send off all your baggage, except that which is absolutely necessary. In case you are forced to retreat, you will destroy the railroad and telegraph as far as possible. ;

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, *