CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30, 1864. UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. Captain NORTON, PONY MOUNTAIN, January 1, 1864-1.20 p. m. Chief Signal Officer, Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac: There seems to be less smoke between Raccoon and Morton's Fords. All else about the same. No unusual stir. Heavy smoke back of Raccoon Ford. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, HALSTED, CULPEPER, January 1, 1864. Chief of Staff: There is as yet no signal station on Cedar Mountain. The detachment of 100 men to guard it have accordingly not been sent. The cavalry pickets are north of Cedar Mountain, and only one-fourth mile in front of the front brigade at Mitchell's Station. I request you to specify when I shall advance the brigade now in rear to Cedar Mountain, because I think such movements should be simultaneous with the new arrangement of the cavalry pickets demanded by such change. [Indorsement.] JNO. NEWTON, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Respectfully referred to Major-General Pleasonton, commanding Cavalry Corps. The major-general commanding directs that the cavalry pickets be advanced beyond Cedar Mountain and that every precaution be taken to watch the approach to Cedar Mountain from the right and left, and that instructions be given that in the event of any party of the enemy advancing toward it the guard at the signal station of 100 infantry be immediately warned, as well as the commander of the infantry brigade and division at or near Cedar Mountain. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General NEWTON: Instructions have been issued to the commander of the Cavalry Corps to have the cavalry pickets advanced beyond Cedar Mountain, to have every avenue of approach to Cedar Mountain to the right and left carefully watched, and the commander of the guard at the signal station and the commander of the division near Cedar Mountain warned immediately of the approach of any party of the enemy. There should be constant communication with the commander of the division near Cedar Mountain and the commander of the cavalry brigade near Cedar Run, and they should arrange between them every detail necessary to the execution of the duties assigned each. By order: A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. CULPEPER, January 1, 1864. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: Do you intend all of Robinson's division to occupy Cedar Mountain, or one brigade only? JNO. NEWTON, Major-General. [Indorsement.] Major-General NEWTON, Commanding First Corps: The major-general commanding directs me to say that whether one or both brigades of Robinson's division are posted near Cedar Mountain is left to you. It was thought to be your proposition to take both brigades there in the personal interview on Wednesday, because the brigade near Cedar Run had a wet camp-ground as well as the brigade near Mitchell's Station. The exact posting of the brigades of the division is left to you, so that they accomplish the objects of the advanced position of the division. Col. PAUL FRANK, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, Commanding First Division, Second Corps: COLONEL: The major-general commanding the corps directs me to say that he has ordered the supply train of your division, which is now parked near the mill, on the other side of Mountain Run, to be moved to a point designated by Colonel Batchelder, chief quartermaster Second Corps, near the corduroy road leading to Brandy Station. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. G. MITCHELL, Major and Aide-de-Camp. January 1, 1864. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General FRENCH, Commanding Third Corps: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that the direction and termination of the left of the picket-line of the Third Corps should be governed by the right of that of the Second Corps. The general position of the picket-line of the Second Corps would be modified by the manner in which the brigade of the Second Corps in front of Stevensburg was posted. A communication upon this subject has just been made to the commander of the Second Corps, who will advance the right of his picket-line so as to throw it in front of the cavalry and infantry brigade and on the road from Stevensburg to Raccoon Ford. The left of the picketline of the Third Corps should be advanced accordingly and unite with that of the Second Corps at such point near the Raccoon Ford road as may be found most suitable. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General FRENCH, Commanding Third Corps: January 1, 1864. The major-general commanding considers it to be best that the left of the picket-line of the Third Corps should be thrown forward about half a mile, so as to be outside of the regimental cavalry camps. The pickets of the Second Corps, where they unite with those of the Third, will be thrown forward simultaneously. An understanding should be had between the commanders of the two corps respecting the union of their picket-lines. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. JANUARY 1, 1864-3.30 a. m. COMMANDING OFFICER CAVALRY CORPS: I transmit you three telegrams just received, two being copies of dispatches from Harper's Ferry.* I understand the general commanding's dispatch * to mean that the cavalry division will govern their movements when approaching and while in the valley of the Shenandoah by the information now sent. Please return the telegrams after they are used by you. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Brigadier-General MERRITT, Commanding First Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that the pickets be advanced beyond Cedar Mountain, and that every pre*Probably Sullivan to Kelley, Sullivan to Halleck, and Meade to Humphreys, Vol. XXIX, Part II, pp. 591, 594. caution be taken to watch the approach to Cedar Mountain from the right and left, and that instructions be given that in the event of any party of the enemy advancing toward it the guard at the signal station of 100 infantry be immediately warned as well as the commander of the infantry brigade and division at or near Cedar Mountain. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. B. PARSONS, COLONEL I have the honor to report my arrival at this point. with the leading regiment of my brigade. Four more are following. F. WHEATON, Lieutenant-Colonel TAYLOR, MARRIOTTSVILLE, January 1, 1864. Assistant Adjutant-General: Captain Simpson directs me to proceed to Harper's Ferry. I left Washington 2 p. m. My rear regiment arrived at the same time. Please telegraph instructions to me at some point on the road. Whom shall I report to at Harper's Ferry? Hurry on my trains with camp and garrison equipage. Quartermaster Murray is in charge of them. F. WHEATON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. CUMBERLAND, MD., January 1, 1864-8 a. m. The following just received. All the cars I can raise are engaged in moving Averell's troops to Martinsburg. May I again ask that two or three regiments of infantry be sent to Averell from Balti more ? Brigadier-General KELLEY: MARTINSBURG, W. Va., January 1, 1864. Enemy drove in our pickets to Bunker Hill this morning at 4 o'clock. Firing heard also on Tuscarora road. Cannot re-enforcements be sent here and North Mountain? W. W. AVERELL, B. F. KELLEY, CUMBERLAND, MD., January 1, 1864-7 p. m. Brigadier-General CULLUM, Chief of Staff: A telegram just received from General Sullivan reports all quiet below. The scare this morning was caused by a squad of rebel cavalry near Winchester. I am now satisfied there are no rebel troops north of Mount Jackson, except, perhaps, a few scouts. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is thoroughly protected, and perfectly safe for passengers and freight. B. F. KELLEY, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, J. W. GARRETT, Esq., President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Baltimore: The reports that the enemy were approaching the railroad in large force with the view of again destroying the bridges, capturing trains, is unfounded. The railroad is well guarded and thoroughly protected, and is perfectly safe for both freight and passengers. B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General. CUMBERLAND, January 1, 1864-9 a. m. Colonel MULLIGAN, New Creek: Our pickets were driven in near Martinsburg this a. m. Give notice to your command to be on the alert, especially the troops below here on the railroad. It is reported to me that Enrights was seen near Moorefield with his company a day or two since. B. F. KELLEY, HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland: 21 R R-VOL XXXIII |