Today in History:

319 Series I Volume XXXIII- Serial 60 - New Berne

Page 319 Chapter XLV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
January 1, 1864.

Major-General FRENCH,

Commanding Third Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that the direction and termination of the left of the picket-line of the Third Corps should be governed by the right of that of the Second Corps. The general position of the picket-line of the Second Corps would be modified by the manner in which the brigade of the Second Corps in front of Stevensburg was posted. A communication upon this subject has just been made to the commander of the Second Corps, who will advance the right of his picket-line so as to throw it in front of the cavalry and infantry brigade and on the road from Stevensburg to Raccoon Ford. The left of the picket-line of the Third Corps should be advanced accordingly and unite with that of the Second Corps at such point near the raccoon Ford road as may be found most suitable.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
January 1, 1864.

Major-General FRENCH,

Commanding Third Corps:

The major-general commanding considers it to be best that the left of the picket-line of the Third Corps should be thrown forward about half a mile, so as to be outside of the regimental cavalry camps. The pickets of the Second Corps, where they unite with those of the should be had between the commanders of the two corps respecting the union of their picket-lines.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

JANUARY 1, 1864 - 3. 30 a. m.

COMMANDING OFFICER CAVALRY CORPS:

I transmit you three telegrams just received two being copies of dispatched from Harper's Ferry. * I understand the general commanding's dispatch* to mean that the cavalry division will govern their movements when approaching and while in the valley of the Shenandoah by the information now sent. Please return the telegrams after they are used by you.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
January 1, 1864.

Brigadier-General MERRITT,

Commanding First Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that the pickets be advanced beyond Cedar Mountain, and that every pre-

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* Probably Sullivan to Kelley, Sullivan to Halleck, and Meade to Humphreys, Vol. XXIX, part II, pp. 591, 594.

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Page 319 Chapter XLV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.