daylight, or as soon thereafter as practicable. Colonel Pitkin, quartermaster, will furnish transportation, and the post commissary the subsistence as is absolutely necessary.

* * * * * * *

By order of Brigadier General J. J. Abercrombie:

R. L. ORR,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 12, 1864.

Colonel E. SCHRIVER,

Commanding, &c., Fredericksburg:

SIR: The commanding general directs that you your best exertions to arrest all stragglers from this that may be found at Fredericksburg, and such men will be sent to the provost-marshal-general at these headquarters to be returned to their proper commands.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAY 12, 1864.

Major-General AUGUR:

The Secretary of War directs that officers and men, deserters, who have come up with the wounded be placed under a strong guard and sent back to the Army of the Potomac and reported to General Grant. Any officer who has so deserted will be sent back in irons. The Massachusetts colored regiment for General Butler should be sent off as soon as possible. General Rucker reports transports waiting.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
May 12, 1864.

Major-General AUGUR:

The instructions in regard to arresting and sending back to Army of the Potomac officers and men relate to deserters. An officer or man very slightly wounded, but not a deserters, may come up "with out sufficient cause" and should be sent back, but not as a prisoner.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
May 12, 1864.

Major-General AUGUR:

The Secretary of War concurs with us in the in expediency of keeping open the railroad to the Rappahannock. You will, therefore,