Today in History:

297 Series I Volume XXVII-III Serial 45 - Gettysburg Campaign Part III

Page 297 Chapter XXXIX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.

BLOODY RUN, June 24, 1863.

Major-General COUCH:

Colonel [Joseph L.] Moss, at McConnellsburg, reports the rebels are in large force at Chambersburg, and 500 went out on the Philadelphia road yesterday, and had not returned to-day, and they are advancing on Loudon, and are now within 2 miles of that place. They have also a considerable cavalry force at Mercersburg, and three regiments of infantry advancing there. I have ordered a regiment of infantry, as you directed, but doubt the policy of scattering my little command so widely at this time. The militia at Cove Mountain and vicinity have all run away excepting 90.

R. H. MILROY,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, Baltimore, June 24, 1863-5. 85 p. m.

Major-General MILROY, Bloody Run, Bedford County, Pa.:

Have your troops all ready to move, to come, via Harrisburg, to this city. I have sent Major Este, my aide-de-camp, to you with instructions.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Major-General, Commanding.

Harrisburg, PA., June 24, 1863-10. 30 p. m.

Secretary OF WAR, Washington:

Rodes and Jenkins were at Chambersburg last night. Have been advancing all day. I shall not at present with my force be able to drive them from the Valley.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

Harrisburg, June 24, 1863.

Colonel THOMAS, Commanding Defenses, &c., York, Pa.:

A party of rebel cavalry may attack your bridges at any time. See that they are held at all hazards. Keep provisions and water in your defenses.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.


SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE SUSQUEHANA,

Numbers 14.
Harrisburg, June 24, 1863.

* * * * *

VII. Colonel J. G. Frick, Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, will proceed to Columbia, Pa., and take charge of all bridges and fords on the line of the Susquehanna, in Lancaster County, and make such dispositions as will effectually secure those crossings.


Page 297 Chapter XXXIX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.