Unknown to Robert Patterson, April 22, 1861

Major General PATTERSON, Commanding, &c.:

Sm: Your letter to the Adjutant-General of yesterday, brought by Mr. Hill, came to me this night. ie In my letter to you yesterday I intended that the railroad via Harris- ; burg and York towards Baltimore was more important, perhaps, for

‘ re-enforcing Washington than that from Philadelphia to Perryville, &e.

That supposition was founded on the Secretary’s belief that the distance

from a certain point on the Harrisburg Railroad to the Relay House, eight : mniles this side of Baltimore, was but some seven miles by a good wagon _. road, whereas there is no good common road between the two railroads of less than thirty miles. This fact renders the railroad from Harrisburg to Baltimore of no value to us here without a force of, perhaps, ten thousand men to hold Baitimore—to protect the rails and bridges uear it. This shall be done as soon as we shall have a surplus force over and above what is necessary for the security of Washington. With this information the line for troops coming from the North to this place via Perryville, thence by steamboats to Annapolis, and wagon roads, seems greatly preferable; but, besides the want of railroad transportation this side of Annapolis, we have no war steamer, and may not have one in ten days to convoy the transports from Perryville to Annapolis. The embarkations at Perryville you may be able to protect by a strong guard at that place.

The Massachusetts and New York volunteers which arrived at Annapolis yesterday debarked, it is believed, to-day, and have commenced their march upon this place. Up to this moment we do not know that the march has commenced. The difficulty is probably the want of cars : or common wagons, leaving perhaps a guard of some three companies a at the Naval School, Annapolis. The route for Northern troops coming

here from Gettysburg by common roads to Frederick, Md., may be worth attention. Besides the troops supposed to have landed at Annapolis, we greatly need ten or twelve additional regiments for this place, now partially besieged, threatened, and in danger of being attacked on all – sides in a day or two or three. With the greatest respect, yours, truly,

= te oe Teele

P. S.—Camp equipage is much wanted here, the preparation of which is pushed at Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The same remark is applicable to accouterments.

The public buildings here have already as many troops as they can

Communicate often by express, if necessary.