SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Numbers 263.
Camp near Sharpsburg, September 26, 1862.

* * * * * *

2. Couch's division, Keyes' corps, is assigned to duty for the present with Franklin's corps, and will be reported accordingly.

* * * * * *

By command of Major-General McClellan:

S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 26, 1862--11 a. m.

General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

A cavalry reconnaissance made yesterday in the direction of Martinsburg from Shepherdstown found the enemy in force encamped about two miles fout from Shepherdstown. One lieutenant-colonel, Thirty-fifth Virginia Volunteers, was captured, and 1 lieutenant, Fifth Virginia Cavalry, also. I go to Harper's Ferry this morning to look into the condition of things there.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 26, 1862--10.30 p. m.

Brevet Major General SUMNER,

U. S. Army, Harper's Ferry, Va.:

The commanding general has just returned from a visit to Maryland Heights. He directs me to say to you that he regrets that his time did not permit him to visit Harper's Ferry. He has determined to fortify Maryland Heights and wishes you to furnish such assistance to the engineer officer who will have charge of this work as may be necessary. He has requested the General-in-Chief to send contrabands to Harper's Ferry to perform the labor required, if there are any disposable in Washington. There is nothing new to-day, except that it is believed that the enemy is extending his line of pickets up the Potomac above Williamsport.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 26, 1862.

Brigadier General SETH WILLIAMS,

Asst. Adjt. General, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I have the honor to present for the information of the major-general commanding reports from several subordinate commanders of some of the operations of portions of this corps before Richmond during the actions of the 26th, 27th, 28th, 30th of June and July 1, 1862. I have not received the reports of Major-General Morell nor those of Brigadier-Generals Martindale and Butterfield. The prolonged absence (presumed an account of sickness) of the former and the