all stumps, making a good track for artillery and troops. You will also send a wagon and small party back to repair the crossing damaged by the rain.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. B. HOLABIRD,

Colonel, Aide-de-Camp.

[12.]

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, August 23, 1862.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington:

A recent order from the Secretary of War directs me to send home the three-months' regiments, most of which expire on the 26th of this month. Unless replaced by other regiments the forts will be at the mercy of the rebels. Shall I replace them with regiments passing through this city to Washington?*

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

[12.]

FORT MONROE, August 24, 1862-1 p. M.

(Received 1.45 p. M.)

Major-General HALLECK:

We have sea-going steamers here to take 13,000 of General Sumner's troops which are now embarking. A strong gale causes the detention of all other vessels.

JOHN TUCKER,

Assistant Secretary of War.

[12.]

WASHINGTON, D. C., August 24, 1862-10 a. M.

Captain CHARLES G. SAWTELLE,

Assistant Quartermaster, or

Captain C. W. THOMAS,

Assistant Quartermaster, Fortress Monroe, Va.:

Twenty or thirty canal boats or barges must be had at once at Aquia Creek to build a wharf. There are none here which can be spared. Can you send any? If so, send them at once to Captain C. L. West, assistant quartermaster, Aquia Creek. Let me know at once by telegraph how many you can send. Any that you have loaded can be sent up with their loads. The necessity for them is urgent.

D. H. RUCKER,

Colonel, Quartermaster, &c.

[12.]

FORT MONROE, August 24, 1862.

(Received 7.15 p. M.)

Colonel R. INGALLS,

Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac, Aquia Creek, VA.:

I have sea-going transports for about 13,000 men of Sumner's corps, which are embarking to-day. General Sumner says he shall not send any of them off until the whole corps is embarked. Nothing else can

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*For reply, see VOL. XII, Part III, p. 640.

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