Unknown to Williams, June 24, 1863

General 8. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General :

I do not distinctly understand what is desired by the last telegram, just received, directing me to report with my command ready for the field at the Monocacy.

Nearly all the regulars are at Edwards Ferry. Nearly 360 of the Fiftieth Regiment are there, on the way to the Monocacy, for which pie the bridge has gone. Besides the men in the workshops here,

have but little over 200 effective men of the Fiftieth Regiment here to aid in repairing the large number of pontoons now here, out of order, and the 360 three-years’ men of the Fifteenth Regiment are almost in mutiny, and unfit for the field at present; only 180° found on duty at inspection to-day.

Shall I take the 200 men of the Fiftieth and the teams and empty pontoon trucks to the Monocacy, or leave the teams and trucks here, to draw the pontoons now here, when repaired ?

I think it very important to have the trains repaired as soon as possible, and it needs the whole force now here to do it speedily.

Please let me know where headquarters are.

H. W. BENHAM, Brigadier-General,

ENGINEER DEPOT, June 24, 1863—12.40 a. m. General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Forty pontoons and equipage started from here at 10.15 p. m., tuo hurry through the Georgetown locks. At this hour, 32 more pontoons and equipage, the balance for 1,450 feet of bridge, have started, as I have judged it safest to send all fromhere. I expect the bridge to reach the Monocacy on the evening of the 24th. Isend my train mules to tow them, which will leave me animals for one.complete

bridge train only. a. WRG a We AM, Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS, June 24, 1863—7 a. m. Captain TURNBULL, Edwards Ferry:

Send out to meet General Howard, coming on south bank of creek to the ferry. Direct him to camp near the bridges, and not cross

without further orders. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

MovutH oF THE Monocacy, June 24, 1863—5.20 a. m. General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: Dispatch received at 2.30 a.m. Force allup. Chick’s Ford practicable for infantry. Distance to Leesburg from this point, 13 miles;

road good. SAML. McKEEH, Captain, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE, Poolesville, June 24, 1863. _ (Copy received, War Department, 5.20 a. m.) General D. BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Army of the Potomac: GENERAL’: Your order ordering me to march my force to Harper’s Ferry is received. As I am under General Heintzelman, I have referred the matter to him.

Respectfully, ek, Dean ora