4th.  When the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia shall be in position to communicate and directly co-operate at or before Richmond, the chief command, while so operating together, shall be governed, as in like cases, by the Rules and Articles of War.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.

War department, June 28, 1862.

Major-general Halleck: 

The enemy have concentrated in such force at Richmond as to render it absolutely necessary, in the opinion of the President, for you immediately to detach 25,000 of your force and forward it by the nearest and quickest route by way of Baltimore and Washington to Richmond.  It is believed that the quickest route would be by way of Columbus, Ky., and up the Ohio River.  But in detaching your force the President directs that it be done in such a way as to enable you to hold your ground and not interfere with the movement against Chattanooga and East Tennessee.  This condition being observed, the forces to be detached and the routes they are to be sent are left to your own judgment.

The direction to send these forces immediately is rendered imperative by a serious reverse suffered by General McClellan before Richmond yesterday, the full extent of which is not yet known.

You will acknowledge the receipt of this despatch, stating the day and hour it is received, and inform me what your action will be, so that we may take measures to aid in river and railroad transportation.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

TELEGRAMS TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE.

Washington, June 28, 1862.

General Burnside: 

I think you had better go, with any reinforcements you can spare, to
General McClellan.

A. Lincoln.

WAR DEPARTMENT, June, 28, 1862

Major-general Burnside, Newbern: 

We have intelligence that General McClellan has been attacked in large force and compelled to fall back toward the James River.  We are not advised of his exact condition, but the President directs that you shall send him all the reinforcements from your command to the James River that you can safely do without abandoning your own position.  Let it be infantry entirely, as he said yesterday that he had cavalry enough.

Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

War department, Washington city, June 28, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN: