sufficient force to drive General Banks before him, in precisely what force we can not tell. He is also threatening Leesburg and Geary, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, from both north and south, in precisely what force we can not tell. I think the movement is a general and concerted one,* such as would not be if he was acting upon the purpose of a very desperate defense of Richmond. I think the time is near when you must either attack Richmond or give up the job and come to the defense of Washington.

Let me hear from you instantly.

(To General McClellan.) Can you not cut the Aquia Creek railroad? Also, what impression have you as to intrenched works for you to contend with in front of Richmond? Can you get near enough to throw shells into the city?

27th. (To General Fremont.) I see that you are at Moorefield. You were expressly ordered to march to Harrisonburg. What does this mean?

28th. (To Fremont.) The President directs you to halt at Moorefield and await orders, unless you hear of the enemy being in the general direction of Romney, in which case you will move upon him.

(To McDowell.) You say General Geary's scouts report that they find no enemy this side of the Blue Ridge. Neither do I. Have they been to the Blue Ridge looking for them?

5:40 P. M. (To McDowell.) I think the evidence now preponderates that Ewell and Jackson are still about Winchester. Assuming this, it is for you a question of legs. Put in all the speed you can. I have told Fremont as much, and directed him to drive at them as fast as possible. By the way, I suppose you know Fremont has got up to Moorefield, instead of going to Harrisonburg.

*This was a complete misapprehension and shows how entirely the Confederate ruse had succeeded. Jackson had with him only some 15,000

men.

The audacity of Jackson's swift movements completely mystify his antagonists. He strikes, disappears, and they know not what to do. And now Johnston reaps his advantage. May 31st-June 1st. Battle of Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks. McClellan is brought to a standstill within four miles of Richmond. General Johnston, wounded, is succeeded by General Lee.

June 1st. (To McClellan.) You are probably engaged with the enemy. I suppose he made the attack. Stand well on your guard, hold all your ground, or yield only inch by inch and in good order. This morning we merge General Wool's department into yours, giving you command of the whole, and sending General Dix to Fort Monroe and General Wool to Fort McHenry.

We also send General Sigel to report to you for duty.

But Jackson has not finished his work in the valley. Renewed alarm at Washington.

(To McClellan.) Shields' advance came in collision with part of the enemy yesterday evening six miles from Front Royal, in a direction between Winchester and Strasburg, driving them back, capturing a few prisoners and one rifled cannon. Firing in that direction to-day, heard both from Harper's Ferry and Front Royal, indicates a probability that Fremont has met the enemy.

We have concluded to send General Sigel to Harper's Ferry, so that what I telegraphed you about him this morning is revoked. Dix goes to Fort Monroe to-night.

3rd. (To McClellan.) With these continuous rains I am very anxious about the Chickahominy-so close in your rear and crossing your line of communication. Please look to it.

6th. (To McDowell.) The President directs that Mc

Call's division be sent by water to Major-General McClellan immediately, and that you place such force at Fredericksburg by the time McCall leaves there as may, in your judgment, be necessary to hold that place.

In respect to the operations of the residue of your force, the President reserves directions, to be given as soon as he determines.

9th. (To General N. P. Banks.) We are arranging a general plan for the valley of the Shenandoah, and in accordance with this you will move your main force to the Shenandoah at or opposite Front Royal as soon as possible.

10th. (To the Senate and House of Representatives.) I transmit to Congress a copy of a treaty for the suppression of the African slave trade, between the United States and her Britannic Majesty, signed in this city on the 7th of April last, and the ratifications of which were exchanged at London on the 20th ultimo.

15th. (To McClellan.)

The night between your two late battles of Saturday and Sunday I went earnestly to work to find a way of putting General Wool's force under your control without wounding any one's feelings. But, after all, General Dix was a little hurt at being taken from an independent command and put in a dependent one. I could not help this without giving up the principal object of the move. So soon

as you can (which I do not expect is yet), I wish you to give me the benefit of your suggestions as to how an independent command can be given him without detriment. The Secretary of War has turned over to me your despatch about sending McDowell to you by water instead of by land. I now fear he can not get to you either way in time. Shields' division has got so terribly out of shape, out at elbows, and out at toes, that it will require a long time to get it in again. I expect to see McDowell within a day or two, when I will again talk with him about the mode of moving.