Telegraph roads. I have ordered General Hooker to hold himself in readiness, as soon as he has crossed the river, to support either General Sumner's column or your own. After your command had crossed, you will move down the old Richmond road, in the direction of the railroad, being governed by circumstances as to the extent of your movements. An aide will be sent to you during your movements.

My headquarters will be at the Phillips house.

I have the honor to be, general, very truly, your obedient servant,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General of Volunteers.

[DECEMBER 11, 1862.]

Major-General FRANKLIN:

General Burnside directs you to hold your present position. At 12 o'clock all the batteries will open on the town. We will send you the result, and further orders.

JNumbers G. PARKE,

Chief of Staff.

DECEMBER 11, 1862.

Major General J. G. PARKE:

Does the 12 o'clock in the message in regard to shelling the town mean noon to-day, or some other time?

FRANKLIN.

DECEMBER 11, 1862.

General BURNSIDE:

The two bridges are finished, one for infantry, the other for artillery.

W. B. FRANKLIN,

Major-General.

GENERAL FRANKLIN'S HEADQUARTERS,

December 11, 1862.

Major-General PARKE,

Chief of Staff:

It is understood there is bridge material enough to construct another additional infantry bridge at my point of crossing. The engineer troops here are entirely exhausted; but I beg of the general, if he has engineers to spare, that he will order the bridge be thrown across during the night.

W. B. FRANKLIN,

Major-General.

DECEMBER 12, 1862.

Major General J. G. PARKE:

Your dispatch received. The bridge I referred to was to be built with material here. The men, however, are too much exhausted to work to-night. Our pickets reported that a battery came down very