Unknown to George G. Meade, August 13, 1863

August 14, [1863]—10.15 a. m. ; (Received 11 a. m.) This communication is respectfully forwarded to headquarters Army of the Potomac, with the Richmond Examiner referred to. The captured letters were not sent. General Custer has been directed to forward them. A. PLEASONTON, Major-General, Commanding.

Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington City, August 13, 1863—?7 p. m. Brig. Gen. S$. WiLuiAMs, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

Order at once the regular division in the Fifth Corps and the Vermont brigade in the Sixth Corps to Alexandria. Call on the Quartermaster’s Department to furnish transportation by railroad, so as to forward these troops with as little delay as possible. No

land transportation or supplies to accompany them. oe GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.

AUGUST 18, 1863—10.10 p. m. Commanding Officer Sixth Corps:

The commanding general directs that the Vermont brigade of your corps proceed forthwith to Alexandria, there to receive further orders. The brigade will march at the earliest possible moment to Warrenton Junction, where railroad transportation will be provided for it. No land transportation or supplies will be taken by the brigade. Please beienay leds this dispatch at once, and report as soon as you can the number of officers and men for whom transportation will be required.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Avaust 13, 1863—10.15 p, m. Commanding Officer Fifth Corps: The commanding general directs that the regular division of your corps proceed forthwith to Alexandria, there to receive further orders. The division will march as soon as possible to Rappahannock Station, where railroad transportation will be provided for it. No land transportation or epee will accompany thedivision. Please acknowledge this dispatch, and report as soon as you can the number of officers and men for whom transportation will be required. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, August 13, 1863. Col. G. H. SHARPE, Deputy Provost-Marshal-General, &c. :

CoLONEL: At your suggestion, I have the honor to report in brief the manner in which goods have been brought to the Army of the Potomac by sutlers and traders during the time General Patrick has been acting as provost-marshal-general.

By referring to the circular issued November 7, 1862, and marked A, it will be seen that before goods could be brought to the army an invoice must be presented to this office for approval, or the goods attempted to be brought to the army would be lable to confiscation. Such instances, I may here add, were not afew. That system continued in force from the issuing of the circular, November 7, 1862, at which time goods were brought to the army in wagons, until the army went into winter quarters on the Rappahannock, when the following system went into effect :

A sutler wishing to bring goods to the army made up his invoice in conformity to the ” Wilson bill,” and for one month’s supply. That invoice was =p by the commandant of his regiment and brigade, and latterly

by command of the provost-marshal-general.