HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIRST CORPS,
November 4, 1 862.

Lieutenant-Colonel HOFMANN,

Commanding Second Brigade:

COLONEL: The general is very happy over your success and congratulates you and your command. He directs that you remain until the division comes up. We are expecting to move to-day.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. P. HALSTED,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
November 4, 1862-8.45 p. m.

Major General D. N. COUCH,

Commanding Second Corps:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to remain for the present with your corps in the position now occupied by it, watching carefully Ashby's Gap. You will, however, please keep your command in readiness to march south should orders be given for such amovement. The general directs me to say that no more wagon trains will be sent to the Potomac, and that trains now on the way from that river will be brought up as soon as possible. Supplies will hereafter be obtained by Orange and Alexandria and Manassas Gap Railroads.

I am, general, &c.,

GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel and Assistant Chief of Staff.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
November 4, 1862-2.45 p. m.

Major-General PORTER,

Commanding Fifth Corps:

GENERAL: We have possession of Ashby's Gap; there is no evidence of any enemy in force in front of it. The commanding general directs me to say that if there is no enemy in front of you at Snicker's Gap and vicinity, he desires you to withdraw the Forty-fourth New York and other troops of your corps and to move to vicinity of Upperville to-morrow, unless you receive further orders. If you deem best you will leave one or two regiments or a brigade at Sncier's Gap, to be withdrawn hereafter. Please send a staff officer or orderly to headquarters this afternoon with a report of the condition of affairs in your front. Send him in t ime to return to you before daylight with further orders if necessary.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. RUGGLES,

Colonel and Assistant Chief of Staff.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
November 4, 1 862-7 p. m.

Colonel GEORGE D. RUGGLES,

Aide-de-Camp:

Your communication of 2.45 by Major Kirland is just received. The directions to move being based on the supposition that there is no enemy