IV. The Second and Third Divisions will form a command, under Brigadier-General Gregg. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General MEADE, Commanding Fifth Army Corps: The idea was to find out, if possible, what troops the enemy have at Banks' Ford, without bringing on a fight, by any stratagem or device that circumstances might make prudent. The general does not wish your forces there known. The accumulation of the troops in Sedgwick's front render any demonstration necessary [unnecessary]. Do the two fords at Banks', reported by you practicable for infantry, still remain so since the rain? DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. JUNE 7, 1863. Commanding Officer Fifth Corps: The general does not desire any demonstration, and only a feeler at Banks' Ford, to ascertain, if possible, what is opposite you there. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES, Near Warrenton Junction, June 7, 1863-3 a. m. General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: I send you a copy of dispatch from Colonel Duffié, viz: I am safe with my command. The reconnaissance has been successful, and without any loss save 1 horse, which was shot in a skirmish. I went 4 miles from Culpeper. The enemy has constantly run away from me, and did not show any idea of a fight. I shall forward my report to-morrow. I am, very respectfully, General COUCH: PHILLIPS HOUSE, June 7, 1863-6.45 a. m. The four-gun battery reported yesterday opposite Falmouth has been removed. Nothing to be seen of the enemy above the city. The enemy's infantry are distinctly seen this a. m., occupying the rifle *See Butterfield to commanding officer Fifth Corps, same date, following. pits and railroad cut from Fredericksburg to the Massaponax, near Hamilton's Crossing. One battery of four guns is seen on wooded ridge opposite the Bernard house. The re-enforcements received yesterday by the enemy were one division or three brigades. Commanding Officer Cavalry Corps: . JAS. S. HALL, Captain, Signal Officer. JUNE 7, 1863-8.35 a. m. General Hooker directs me to remain here for your instructions until he knows the result of Colonel Duffie's reconnaissance yesterday, and until he can learn whether General Stahel's cavalry can assist. He also suggests that Ames' command remain at Bealeton until further orders. General S. WILLIAMS, ULRIC DAHLGREN, Captain, and Aide-de-Camp. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 7, 1863—9 a. m. Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: Have arrived at this place, Warrenton Junction. The command under Duffie has returned. Went within 4 miles of Culpeper, the enemy's skirmishers falling back all the time. Let Shaler's command be ready for work at Kelly's Ford early tomorrow morning. General S. WILLIAMS, A. PLEASONTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: Captain Dahlgren's dispatch received. Colonel Duffié has returned. The enemy's cavalry fell back as he advanced. He went to within 4 miles of Culpeper. The enemy evidently wished to draw him on. Please have my instructions telegraphed at an early moment, as my preparations will consume some time, and I wish to act before my whereabouts are known. A. PLEASONTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Major-General HOOKER, Falmouth, Va.: WASHINGTON, D. C., June 7, 1863-10.30 a. m. A considerable portion of Heintzelman's cavalry is out scouting, and cannot be communicated with. General Stahel will co-operate with General Buford as far as he has means. To prevent delays, please telegraph directly to General Heintzelman, and he will consult me, if necessary. It is impossible to ascertain how much aid can be given to Buford till the cavalry comes in. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General A. PLEASONTON, Warrenton: June 7, 1863-10.45 a. m. Fifteen hundred infantry, under the command of Brig. Gen. D. A. Russell, will be ordered to report to you at Kelly's Ford, under the same instructions as were given to the infantry yesterday. The commanding general directs that you make the necessary arrangements to have those troops supplied. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. General D. N. COUCH: PHILLIPS HOUSE, June 7, 1863-11.10 a. m. A small camp of the enemy was overlooked just opposite Falmouth in my morning report. Four guns are now in position, 30 degrees west of south from this point, and a little to the right of Hart's house. JAS. S. HALL, Captain, and Signal Officer. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: Major-General Sykes reports the following, dated 8 a. m. : All quiet along the lines. Commanding officer at Ballard's Dam reports enemy's pickets apparently reduced in number. Their party notified our officers that they had been ordered to fire on all officers, but they had not done so up to date of dispatch. Commanding officer at United States Ford reports that since daylight he has ridden around the position, and nothing unusual can be seen from the high points on the bluff. General COUCH: GEO. G. MEADE, PHILLIPS HOUSE, June 7, 1863. The enemy is busily engaged constructing a new field work just opposite Sedgwick's Crossing, and below the two works already there. JAS. S. HALL, Captain, and Signal Officer. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: Colonel Alexander Colonel Duffié only reconnoitered the road from Sulphur Springs toward Culpeper. Does not know what cavalry is on the Brandy Station or Stevensburg roads. It is on those roads the bulk of the enemy's cavalry are reported. Let us act soon, and please telegraph my instructions. My people are all ready to pitch in. Let me have discretion to cross at the best positions as determined by latest information. A. PLEASONTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. JUNE 7, 1863-11.50 a. m. General PLEASONTON, Warrenton Junction: Russell will go instead of Shaler. He cannot arrive before tomorrow p. m. You will be unable to do anything to-morrow. Your instructions will reach you to-night or to-morrow early. The letter will be general, from limited information, not having any particulars concerning Duffié, and you can arrange details before it arrives. You must provide rations to meet Russell at Kelly's. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near Falmouth, Va., June 7, 1863. Commanding Officer Cavalry Corps: I am directed by the major-general commanding to inform you as follows: Brigadier-General Ames left here yesterday and Brigadier-General Russell marches to-day, and it is expected that their brigades, consisting of 1,500 men and a horse battery, will be in position to-morrow night. The latter marches with rations for three days, and will require to be replenished before they cross the river from Bealeton. As they march without wagons, it will be advisable to have them sent to Kelly's Ford, in season to be distributed to-morrow night. Two boats have also been forwarded, to facilitate the passage of the lastnamed ford. As it is held by the enemy's pickets, it may be advisable to throw over a small party above or below the ford, to knock them away, without resorting to the use of artillery, as the first gun would be heard by the enemy at Culpeper and vicinity. From the most reliable information at these headquarters, it is recommended that you cross the Rappahannock at Beverly and Kelly's Fords, and march directly on Culpeper. For this you will divide your cavalry force as you think proper, to carry into execution the object in view, which is to disperse and destroy the rebel force assembled in the vicinity of Culpeper, and to destroy his trains and supplies of all description to the utmost of your ability. Shortly after crossing the two fords, the routes you will be likely to take intersect, and the major-general commanding suggests that you keep your infantry force together, as in that condition it will afford you a moving point d'appui to rally on at all times, which no cavalry force can be able to shake. It is believed that the enemy has no infantry. Should you find this to be the case, by keeping your troops well in hand, you will be able to make head in any direction. The general also recommends that you make use of the forest and the cavalry to mask the movements of the infantry from the enemy's forces, and to keep the enemy ignorant of their presence as long as possible, in order that at the proper time you may be able to cut off and destroy great numbers of them. The general further suggests that you throw out strong pickets in the direction of the Ely and Germanna Fords, and that you hold Stevensburg with not less than a regiment and a section of artillery, with special instructions to look after Raccoon Ford. All the fords on the Rappahannock below Kelly's, and including it, are held by our forces. If you should succeed in routing the enemy, the general desires that you will follow him vigorously as far as it may be to our advantage to do so. The officer in command holding Kelly's Ford will be instructed to lend you such aid as may be in his power, and it is hoped will be able to throw out on to the Culpeper road a sufficient force, in conjunction with your cavalry at Stevensburg, to secure your flank from any force in that direction. Captain Dahlgren, aide-de-camp, will deliver this to you, and it is desired that he should remain until you recross the river, and that you communicate with headquarters as often as practicable. He will hand you some maps of the direction in which you are operating. Having received no reply from Washington as to the force to be sent to your assistance from General Heintzelman's command, you will not be able to count upon any assistance from there. Very respectfully, DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. CONFIDENTIAL.] HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near Falmouth, Va., June 7, 1863. Commanding Officer Fifth Corps: The following extract from a letter of instructions to BrigadierGeneral Pleasonton, directing an attack on Culpeper, is furnished for your information : The general further suggests that you throw out strong pickets in the direction of the Ely and Germanna Fords, and that you hold Stevensburg with not less than a regiment and a section of artillery, with special instructions to look after Raccoon Ford. All the fords on the Rappahannock below Kelly's, and including it, are held by our forces. The major-general commanding directs that you will furnish such assistance from your forces under General Barnes as General Pleasonton may need, for compliance with these suggestions given above. Very respectfully, &c., DANL. BUTTERFIELD, |