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DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIS,
May 6, 1861.

Lieutenant-General SCOTT.
GENERAL: In obedience to your command, I have occupied the station at the Relay House, nine miles from Baltimore. * * *

An officer has been detailed to examine the trains and stop all armed men, arms and munitions of war. Before, however, we established a full surveillance of the trains a squad of some ten or twelve men from Baltimore passed up the road to join the traitors at Harpers Ferry. * * *

I learn that I am in the immediate neighborhood of the residence of Major-General [Charles] Carroll, a gentleman who is most bitter in his hostility to the Government, who ordered out the troops [militia] under his command to oppose the passage of the U. S. troops across Baltimore. Two companies of cavalry alone responded to the call from this vicinity. They were commanded by Capt. William H. B. Dorsey and Capt. George H. Gaither,jr., both violent rebels who have more than once put themselves in a hostile attitude to the United States Government. They have conducted themselves with great violence and in fact are now in arms against the Union although nominally holding commissions from the governor of Maryland. Can anything be done with them? Might they not be arrested and at least restrained until we are certain what will be the disposition of Maryland? But this is a matter for your better judgment.

I trust my acts may meet your approbation whatever you may think of my suggestions.

Most truly, yonr obedient servant,

BENJ. F. BUTLER.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.