The ford at Pack's Ferry was too high for crossing yesterday. How far is it from you? McClellan is within 8 miles of Richmond. Movements promise well in the Southwest.

J. D. COX,

Brigadier-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,

Numbers 155.
Washington, May 23, 1862.

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IV. Brigadier General Abraham S. Piatt, U. S. Volunteers, is assigned to duty in the Mountain Department, and will report in person to Major-General Fremont.

* * * * * * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,

May 24, 1862.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I have received your note of this date* in reference to the President's order of Sunday last relative to the gunboats on the Rappahannock.

The President desired that one vessel should be sent to Fredericksburg to defend the bridge there. Captain Wyman, commanding the flotilla, was here this morning, and reports one vessel stationed as directed and two or three others below plying up and down the river.

Captain Wyman leaves this afternoon for the flotilla, and I beg leave to ask if any arrangement different from the above is desired.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. V. FOX,

Assistant Secretary

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, D. C., May 24, 1862.

Honorable G. V. FOX,

Assistant Secretary of the Navy:

SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, and to inform you in reply that the arrangement of the gunboats on the Rappahannock as therein stated is entirely satisfactory to this Department.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Secretary of War.

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*Not found.

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