Abstract from a field return, September 30, 1861, of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Beauregard.

.

Present for duty.

Troops. Office Men. Total Aggrega Total Aggrega

rs. present te present te

. present and present

. absent. and

absent.

General 17 ... 17 17 17 17

staff

Infantry 1,286 19,759 25,091 26,549 30,183 31,886

Cavalry 88 1,237 1,411 1,502 1,809 1,925

Artiller 59 1,072 1,223 1,283 1,568 1,645

y

Total 1,450 22,068 27,742 29,351 33,577 35,473

Abstract from return of the Department of Fredericksburg, commanded by Brigadier General T. H. Holmes, for September, 1861.

Present for duty.

Station. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present and

absent.

Evansport and 124 1,885 3,160

vicinity

Marlborough 3 36 70

Point

Do 36 483 725

Camp Holmes 36 494 855

Camp Bee 38 479 787

Aquia Creek 29 366 869

Cross Roads 3 66 97

King George 3 44 96

County

Camp Clifton 25 337 514

Camp Potomac 38 362 646

Mathias Point 9 92 182

Tappahannock 33 416 647

Fort Lowry 3 26 71

Richmond 26 305 331

County

Heathsville 19 319 357

Grand total 425 5,710 9,407

Council of war at Centerville.

OCTOBER 1, 1861.*

On the 26th September, 1861, General Joseph E. Johnston addressed a letter to the Secretary of War in regard to the importance of putting this army in condition to assume the offensive, and suggested that his excellency the President, or the Secretary of War, or some one representing them, should at an early day come tot he headquarters of the army, then at or near Fairfax Court-House, for the purpose of deciding whether the army could be re-enforced to the next extent that the commanding general deemed necessary for an offensive campaign.

his excellency the President arrived at Fairfax Court-House a few days thereafter, late in the afternoon, and proceeded to the quarters of General Beauregard. On the same evening General Johnston and I.

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*The exact date does not appear in the records. That above is approximately, if not absolutely, correct.

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