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Maj. Gen. R. C. SCHENCK, Commanding Middle Department, Baltimore.
GENERAL: Information has reached this Department this morning that a man named J. H. Warring, who owns a large plantation near the mouth of the Patuxent, has been accustomed to make of his premises a place of rendezvous for harboring rebel officers. He is now confined in the Old Capitol Prison, three rebel officers being taken in his house with a large amount of rebel mails, uniforms, &c. I am also informed that one of your men was killed in the effort to make the arrest. The object of this communication is to instruct you iminediately to take military possession of that plantation, to remove the family beyond the U. S. lines and to seize and convert to the use of the Government all the property which may be found on the plantation and to hold the premises for military uses. This order should be executed with diligence and efficiency.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.