Danl. Butterfield, June 4, 1863

June 4, 1863. To Corps Quartermasters:

The general commanding this army has decided that there is no advantage to the service commensurate with the expense in keeping up regularly organized pack trains, with mules jatlepandent of the wagons.

It is his order that you retain the pack-saddles now on hand, and that they shall be habitually carried in the wagons of the ammunition and supply trains, not to exceed ten to a wagon.

When it Peers necessary to pack officers’ baggage, rations, or ammunition for short distances over broken and rough country, pack trains can be made up temporarily by taking mules from the wagons, not to exceed two to any one wagon. Some few extra mules, not to exceed 50 to each corps, may be kept on hand to supply losses on

marches. RUFUS INGALLS, Brigadier-General, Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac.

[JUNE 4-27, 1863.—For Hooker’s correspondence with the President, Secretary of War, and General-in-Chief, see Part I, pp. 29-60.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, June 5, 1863—7 a. m. Major-General SEDGWICcK, Commanding Sixth Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you hold your command in readiness to march at short notice; that you furnish any assistance required by General Benham in throwing a bridge across the Rappahannock.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,