Samuel P. Heintzelman to Henry W. Halleck, January 26, 1863

General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Ohief, Washington :

GENERAL: There does not appear to be much connection between the Army of the Potomac and the troops for the defense of Washington. Scarcely an order issued from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac applies here. On the contrary, the commander acts under orders from the General-in-Chief or from the War Department. The duties being so different, cannot the defenses be made into a separate depart-

(3) ment, with such limits as may be convenient? Now the command virtually extends on this side of the Potomac from Piscataway Creek to the Annapolis Junction and mouth of the Monocacy, and on the south side along Goose Creek, Aldie, the Bull Run Mountains, Cedar Run, and the Occoquan.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient