SIGEL'S HEADQUARTERS, October 3, 1862-9.30 p.m.

Major-General HEINTZELMAN:

A party, under Lieutenant E. Koenig, has just returned from Stevensburg, near Culpeper. There are two regiments of cavalry, three of infantry, and one battery of the enemy at the Rappahannock Station. The rebels are at work at that bridge, which will probably be finished by to-morrow night, in order to run three locomotives and the freight cars over. There are about 2,000 wounded and sick at Culpeper, which are removed as fast as possible. But few troops at Fredericksburg; two companies of cavalry and three companies of infantry, about 300 men in all.

F. SIGEL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON, October 3, 1862-11.10 p.m.

Brigadier General GEORGE STONEMAN, or

Colonel J. H. HOBART WARD,
Commanding Corps of Observation, Poolesville:

General Sigel telegraphs from Fairfax Court-House, 9.40 p.m., that a detachment of cavalry, just returned from Goose Creek, reports strong cavalry force of enemy at or near Leesburg; also that scouts report no force at Aldie or Thoroughfare Gaps or Warrenton.

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Captain, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

NOTE TO OPERATOR.-If not already communicated to General McClellan, please send him a copy of the above.

[OCTOBER 3, 1862.-For Peirpoint to Wright, and reply, in reference to operations in West Virginia, see Series I, Vol. XVI, Part II, pp. 569, 570.]

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 4, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Brigadier-General Bayard report rumors that General Longstreet is moving to Leesburg, with intention to cross the river, while Jackson holds you in check at Harper's Ferry. A considerable number of new troops have arrived in the last few days, and can be sent into the field.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., October 4, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Brigadier General J. D. Cox will be directed to repair immediately to Point Pleasant and take command of operations on the Kanawha River.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

[OCTOBER 4, 1862.-For Halleck to Wright, and reply, in reference to operations on the Kanawha, see Series I, Vol. XVI, Part II, pp. 573, 574.]