Today in History:

421 Series I Volume XIX-II Serial 28 - Antietam Part II

Page 421 Chapter XXXI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.


HEADQUARTERS CAMP NEAR KNOXVILLE,
October 13, 1862-8.30 p.m.

Colonel C. G. SAWTELLE:

General McClellan wishes to know what number of cavalry horses can be supplied during the week. We stand in need of a large number. Should have 1,500 at once. Reply as to how many are on hand now.

RUFUS INGALLS,

Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C., and Chief Q. M., Army of the Potomac.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,


Numbers 1.
Gallipolis, Ohio, October 13, 1862.

I. Major General J. D. Cox having been assigned to the District of Western Virginia, including Western Virginia and the counties of Ohio bordering thereon, hereby assumes command.

* * * * *

J. D. COX,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 14, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Your telegram of 7 p.m., yesterday, is just received. As I have already informed you, the Government has been, and is, making every possible effort to increase the cavalry force. Remounts are sent to you as rapidly as they can be procured. The President has read your telegram, and directs me to suggest that, if the enemy had more occupation south of the river, his cavalry would not be so likely to make raids north of it.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 14, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Scouts report that the enemy is concentrating a large cavalry force near Leesburg, preparatory for another raid either into Maryland or on Washington. Their force is estimated at from 7,000 to 10,000. No time should be lost in breaking up this expedition or in defeating its object.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

October 14, 1862-7 p.m. (Received 10.30 p.m.)

Major-General HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Your dispatch of to-day received. The only force that could operate to the least advantage against such a force as has been reported near Leesburg is cavalry. At the present time I have but one regiment available in addition to the one with General Stoneman, and that one is needed in front of Harper's Ferry, where I have but two weak squadrons. Moreover, if I had a regiment or two more, they would only be


Page 421 Chapter XXXI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.