Today in History:

838 Series I Volume XLVI-II Serial 96 - Appomattox Campaign Part II

Page 838 N. AND SE.VA., W.VA.,MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.


HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, March 4, 1865.

Brigadier-General STEVENSON,
Harper's Ferry:

The major-general commanding desires you to direct Colonel Reno to send a scouting party to Smithfield to-nigh, and to hold during the present high water the bridge on the Bunker Hill road. Unarmed citizens in Smithfield not able to properly account for themselves should be arrested. There are parties in the village who can give the necessary information, but they must not be compromised. Have you any infantry at Charlestown.

C. H. MORGAN,

Brevet Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, March 4, 1865.

Brigadier-General STEVENSON:

What is the state of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad? Can horses and baggage go from Harper's Ferry to Cumberland now? How long will it take to go from Harper's Ferry?

C. H. MORGAN,
Chief of Staff.

HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., March 4, 1865.

Brigadier-General MORGAN,

Chief of Staff:

All the bridges between here and Cumberland are threatened by high water, and are held in place by heavy loaded cars standing on truss. Until water subsides horses cannot be shipped with any certainty that they will go through. Colonel Reno has been ordered to send scout as directed. There is no infantry at Charlestown. Railroad bridge across the Potomac in danger.

Respectfully,

JOHN D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, March 4, 1865.

General JOHN D. STEVENSON:

The general commanding wants you to furnish as accurate and detailed information, obtained by means of scouts or otherwise, as possible of the location and strength of parties of the enemy in your front or near you. Have you a system of scouts organized? Send this report by telegraph as soon as possible.

R. P. KENNEDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HARPER'S FERRY, March 4, 1865.

Major KENNEDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Cumberland:

The Nineteenth Corps lies in my immediate front. On my left are scattered bands of Mosby's men in Loudoun County. On my right a scout sent out by General Seward reports no enemy in force. The


Page 838 N. AND SE.VA., W.VA.,MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.