Darius N. Couch to Joseph Hooker, December 13, 1862

December 13, 1862—7.10 p. m. Major-General HOOKER, Phillips House: General Couch requests that Sykes be sent to-night on that road to relieve Howard’s division, out of ammunition. Your order was for him to hold that position. Shall I comply ? HEADQUARTERS FirtH ARMY CORPS, December 13, 1862—9 jp. m. Brigadier-General SYKES: GENERAL: You will relieve the advance line now occupied by General Couch. General Huinphreys will be placed on your left. Ammunition for artillery and infantry must be filled up to-night. Artillery ammunition can be obtained on application to General Hunt, chief of artillery. An aide of General Howard, at Couch’s headquarters, will conduct you to the position on the right of the road. BUTTERFIELD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. FREDERICKSBURG SIGNAL STATION, December 13, 1862—1.30 p. m. General BURNSIDE : Iam losing. Send two rifle batteries.

COUCH,