NEW BERNE, N. C., June 20, 1863-9 p. m.,

Via FORT MONROE, June 21.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

I have just received papers of the 18th instant, containing news of Lee's advance. I am anxious to render all the assistance in my power, and therefore send General Potter, chief of staff, to communicate with you from Fort Monroe. I can send either to Baltimore or Fort Monroe ten regiments immediately upon the receipt of your order to do so. these are nine-months' men, whose term of service has nearly expired, and whose places I am making arrangements to fill as best I can. I can as well spare them now as a few weeks hence. Six of these regiments are from Massachusetts, well drilled, and good fighting men, having all been in several successful affairs. The other four regiments are from Pennsylvania, and are good, serviceable troops. If you want these men, I will send them under good officers. Please communicate your orders to General Potter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

Abstract from return of the Department of Washington, Major General S. P. Heintzelman, U. S. Army, commanding, for June 20, 1863.

Present for

duty

Command Officers Men Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Pieces

pre-sent pre-sent last of

and return arti-llery

absent

General 22 37 64 68 71 ---

headquarters

Artillery camp 23 408 475 498 499 ---

of instruction

[Barry]

Railway guards 32 751 880 899 901 ---

[Tracy]

City guards: 90 1, 1, 3, 276 4, ---

Alexandria 455 813 109

[Slough]

Washington 167 2, 4, 4, 4, ---

[Martindale] 807 134 886 990

Garrisons: 224 6, 7, 7, 7, 396

North of the 219 088 522 508

Potomac

[Haskin]

South of the 218 4, 5, 6, 6, 411

Potomac [De 135 416 675 688

Russy]

Fort 5 108 146 150 149 73

Washington

[Merchant]

Abercrombie's 338 6, 8, 9, 9, 24

division 995 110 194 216

Casey's 18 461 523 533 17 ---

command*

Crawford's 246 3, 4, 5, 5, 10

division+ 471 270 264 143

Corps of 55 1, 1, 1, 1, 6

Observation ++ 138 252 447 469

[Jewett]

Cavalry 231 3, 6, 7, 7, 6

division 291 597 898 896

[Stahel]

Convalescent 51 776 8, 8, 5, ---

Camp, &c., 056 240 672

[McKelvy]

TOTAL 1, 32, 48, 56, 54, 926

720 052 824 550 328

---------------

*Provisional brigades.

+Pennsylvania Reserve Corps; detachments at Alexandria and Convalescent Camp.

+

+From the Monocacy to the Great Falls.

---------------