The skillful and gallant movements of Major-General John E. Wool and the forces under his command, which resulted in the surrender of Norfolk and the evacuation of strong batteries erected by the rebels on Sewells Point and Craney Island and the destruction of the rebel ironclad steamer _Merrimac_, are regarded by the President as among the most important successes of the present war. He therefore orders that his thanks as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy be communicated by the War Department to Major-General John E. Wool and the officers and soldiers of his command for their gallantry and good conduct in the brilliant operations mentioned. By order of the President, made at the city of Norfolk on the 11th day of May, 1862: EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_. WAR DEPARTMENT, _May 25, 1862_. _Ordered_: By virtue of the authority vested by act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further order, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of such troops and munitions of war as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business. By order of the Secretary of War: M.C. MEIGS, _Quartermaster-General_. WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, D.C., May 28, 1862_. Colonel HAUPT: SIR: You are hereby appointed chief of construction and transportation in the Department of the Rappahannock, with the rank of colonel, and attached to the staff of Major-General McDowell.