104 Gls PORTER, AL ACG to Charles P. Stone, July 4, 1861

pe Martinsburg, Va., July 4, 1861.

Sin: The commanding general wishes you to join ‘ibas settee now temporarily halted for provisions to be brought up. Under the impression you have,crossed the river near Harper’s Ferry, he directs you to

move up towards Charlestown and effect a junction in that direction. AS soon as provisions arrive he will advance to Winchester, if the foe have not evacuated that place. At present only small parties are known to be in our vicinity, hovering about to pick up stragglers and careless pickets.

If you have information which, in your judgment, renders the movement directed above injudicious. or hazardous, you are desired to communicate your information and act upon it till you hear from him again. When the force in front is scattered he designs moving east towards Leesburg. He wishes you to be cautious in all your movements, that no check to the execution of your plans may result.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

104 Gls PORTER, AL ACG,
Col. CHARLES P. STONE,
Commanding Rockville Expedition, en route to Martinsburg, Va.
I am informed the enemy, 15,000 strong, are in front, this side of Winchester, Joe Johnston commanding.
PorInt oF Rocks, July 6, 1861.
COLONEL: I have written by mail, but do not miegaeen trust the postoffice here. New York Ninth, Pennsylvania Twenty-fifth, and Pennsylvania First are on their way to General Patterson. New Hampshire
First will move from Sandy Hook this afternoon, when the wagon train
reaches there. I expect to be in Williamsport to-night or to-morrow