Today in History:

150 Series I Volume XXXVII-II Serial 71 - Monocacy Part II

Page 150 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XLIX.

HARRISBURG, PA., July 9, 1864. (Received 8 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Following dispatch received here. Not allowed to be sent to Baltimore only in substance:

PARKERSBURG, July 8-10 p. m.

W. P. SMITH,

Baltimore:

Have shipped up the this time about 5,700 troops, 350 cavalry horses, 20 six-horse wagons and horses, all headquarters horses and baggage. No more troops here, nor any expected to night. None have had to wait a moment for transportation. Everything been working well on branch to-day.

L. R. COFFRAN.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

HARRISBURG, PA., July 9, 1864. (Received 10. 30 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Your dispatch of 4 this p. m. in regard to batteries received. My cavalry occupied Hagerstown at 6 p. m . My whole force in the Valley consists of about 130 cavalry, 200 infantry, and 4 pieces of artillery. Infantry and artillery are in Chambersburg. A few enemy are reported between Hagerstown and Sharpsburg.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.

HARRISBURG, PA., July 9, 1864. (Received 10. 45 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Following just received from Greencastle:

JULY 9, 1864.

Here is a statement of a block man; his name is George Ferry. He says he was servant in Forty-seventh Battalion of rebel cavalry, which is commanded by Major Harman, 300 strong. He heard rebel officers say their force is from 40,000 to 50,000, but his own opinion about 30,000 men. Says there is Wharton's division, Vaughn's division, McCausland's brigade of cavalry, Early's and Rodes' divisions. Says that Breckinridge is in command of all the forces; that the rebel forces are lying along the Potomac River from Sharpsburg, Boonsborough, Middletown, and on toward Frederick, Md. Says he heard Colonel Jackson and Captain Busher [?] say, in conversation together, that the rebel forces here were from 40,000 to 50,000. This is Colonel William L. Jackson, in command of a brigade of rebels. He says they stated that this movement was to draw Grant off from Richmond. He says he left the rebels on Friday, 8th instant, near Sharpsburg. Says he heard the rebel officers say force was at Dublin Depot, on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.

MICHAEL GRAHAM.

Graham is a reliable scout.

D. N. COUCH,

Major-General.


Page 150 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XLIX.