WASHINGTON, D. C., February 15, 1862-10 p. M.

A. STAGER,

Cleveland, Ohio:

General McClellan wishes to talk with General Buell direct; says it will be a great help to know if we can get a direct connection; if not to-night, to-morrow at 11 a. M. Buell can cross the Ohio. Will you make the arrangement?

T. T . ECKERT.

[7.]

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 15, 1862-10 p. M.

General GRANT,

Fort Henry:

Telegraph in full the state of affairs with you.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN.

[7.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, February 16, 1862.

Major-General HUNTER,

Fort Leavenworth:

Fort Donelson and its garrison of 30,000 men are completely invested. Four times they have attempted to get out, and four times have they been driven back. Heavy loss on both sides. Our mortar-boats are slowly ascending the Cumberland, and I am straining every nerve to increase the army. Everything looks well; we shall have hard fighting very soon.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

[7.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Numbers 144.
Saint Louis, February 16, 1862.

* * * *

2. Brigadier General Schuyler Hamilton, accompanied by his staff, will proceed without delay to report for duty to Brigadier General U. S. Grant, commanding the District of West Tennessee.

* * * *

4. The Twenty-sixth Regiment Missouri Volunteers is relieved from duty in the District of Saint Louis. Colonel G. B. Boomer will proceed with his regiment this afternoon on board the steamer John Warner, via Cairo and Paducah, and report to Brigadier General U. S. Grant, commanding District of West Tennessee.

5. The Second and Third Michigan Batteries, now at Benton Barracks, will proceed toward the seat of war in Kentucky, touching at Cairo and Paducah for orders.

* * * *

By order of Major-General Halleck:

J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[7.]