JULY 15, 1863.

Brigadier General WILLIAM F. SMITH:

The major-general commanding desires that you will await in your present position the instructions of Major-General, Couch respecting the disposition to be made of your command.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHAMBERSBURG, July 15, 1863.

Brigadier-General SMITH:

I want you to remain at Hagerstown for the present, and look to watching the river. I informed Meade to that effect. I can send you all the troops necessary for that purpose, besides having a large reserve under Dana to back you.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 15, 1863.

(Received 8. 50 a. m.)

General D. N. COUCH,
Chambersburg:

The commanding general directs me to inquire whether you received his dispatch of last evening, and whether any of your troops are moving down this way. Colonel McReynolds, commanding First New York Cavalry, has been directed to watch the Potomac from Harper's Ferry to Williamsport. Please acknowledge.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE SUSQUEHANNA,

Numbers 35.
Harrisburg, July 15, 1863.

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XII. Colonel James A. Beaver, One hundred and forty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp, and commandant at Camp Curtin, is hereby, at his own request, relieved from duty in this department.

* * * * * *

By command of Major General D. N. COUCH:

JNO. S. SCHULTZ,

Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General.

GETTYSBURG, PA., July 15, 1863.

(Received 2 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The telegraph operator here complains that he cannot get the attention of the operator in Baltimore, sometimes for many hours, and that important telegrams do not pass over the wires in proper time. Owing to this, trains of wounded have arrived in Baltimore without

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