A, A. Humphreys to His Excellency the President, October 12, 1863

October 12, 1863—12.30 p.m. (Received 1.10 p. m.) His Excellency the President :

Your telegram received. I have just sent a dispatch to General Halleck which will answer your inquiry. We took yesterday some say re-enforced by Pickett’s division and other troops from Richmond. Lee never would have made the movements he has, leaving a strong position, if he were weakened by the detachment of any portion of Ewell’s or Hill’s corps.

BEVERLY Forp, October 12, 1863—9.50 a. m. General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

No infantry or artillery discernable opposite the ford. Quite a large force of cavalry massed opposite to the right of where they were grazing this morning early, Dr. Green’s house. They seem to be concentrating at this point and in rear of it in the woods.

HOLLAND, Signal Officer.

P. §.—The ridge this side of Brandy Station has some force upon it. That which can be seen appears to be cavalry and a battery. GRO. SYKES, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, October 12, 1863—10.15 a. m. Commanding Officer Sixth Corps:

The major-general commanding directs that you hold your command in readiness to move forward immediately, with ammunition and ambulance trains, leaving the other trains where they are now parked. The major-general commanding desires to see you in person immediately.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,