Unknown to E.D. Townsend, August 6, 1861

Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington : Tell General Scott his dispatch is received. I have ordered the Seventeenth Indiana to Beverly, seven of the Fourth and niné of the Tenth to Buckhannon, [and] a vigorous prosecution of the work in Cheat Mountain, on the Huntersville road. Cox moved a body of his forces to Summersville to join Tyler and from thence to threaten Huntersville. Sent Lieutenant Wagner to fortify at mouth of Gauley. Appointed Benham acting inspector-general. Sent him also to thoroughly examine troops of the Kanawha Brigade, supervise the defenses, and select a provision depot for 30,000 to 40,000 men, to be stationed near the head – of steamboat navigation on the Kanawha. Will have a packing train ready in twenty days for 4,000 men—ten days’ rations. Ask the General, for Heaven’s sake, to make some such provision as I have suggested for the military instruction of the reorganized and new regiments, which by this means may soon be put to service. Could not the Academy term be made to open, say, in November, and the cadets detailed, one for each regiment, as instructors of tactics or drill-masters? But my choice is to have at least majors from the young officers of the Army. — Please let me know also whether I am to have a brigade of regulars and a major-general over me.

W. 8. ROSECRANS,