Unknown to R. Patterson, U.s. A, June 10, 1861

General R. PATTERSON, U.S. A., Chambersburg, Pa:

The General-in-Chief says call the two regiments of Colonels Small and Hinstein to your column. He thinks this will probably be as much addition as you will now require to your force.

E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

CINCINNATI, June 11, 1861.

Immediately upon receipt of your telegram of the 6th I gave orders to muster in Virginia troops for defense of the State. Counter order of Secretary of War received yesterday, and at once transmitted to General Morris at Grafton. Just received from him the following telegram :

If we don’t muster Virginians into service according to proclamation and arm them, we must quit the territory or prepare to hold it with ‘Federal tr oops. The strong motive of the move here is gone unless their volunteers are received. Such as volunteer for the service will not enter unconditionally, having not State aid. Small force of rebels can control numbers. Have already mustered some informally. When a regiment is ready it will not do to disband. The effect would be disastrous. It is the cheapest way to defend Western Virginia. It is the only way to unite her citizens. Other methods will fail.

I fully concur with General Morris and the leading men in Virginia, and think it would be impolitic to make further movements in Western Virginia at present unless we can follow it up by raising Virginia troops for their own defense. If decision cannot be reversed, shall 1 troops now mustered in be disbanded? I beg and trust not.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, U. S. Army. 43 R R—VOL IL

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