Danl. Butterfield to H. C. Rodgers, February 25, 1863

Lieut. Col. H. C. RODGERS, Assistant Adjutant-General: Our scout brought in information this evening that he was told by a citizen that the enemy’s cavalry intend making a raid on this place, to capture the commissary stores, &c., supposing that the new picket line established last Saturday was simply a ruse, and supposing that we have left this. From what information he could get in regard to position of cavalry, the Prince William Cavalry was at White Sulphur Springs, with five light pieces of artillery; the Black Horse Cavalry are at Warrenton. We will be on the alert, and are able to repei any attack from their cavalry. ] W. R. CREIGHTON, Oolonel, Commanding Brigade and Post. “Not found; but see Part I, pp. 21-25. FEBRUARY 25, 1863—9 p. m. Maj. Gen. S. P. HEINTZELMAN, Washington, D. C.: The following dispatch has been received from Stafford CourtHouse: [FEBRUARY] —, 1863. Major-General BUTTERFIELD: Colonel Creighton, commanding at Dumfries, has information from a citizen of a contemplated raid on that place; that the Prince William Cavalry are at White Sulphur Springs with five pieces of artillery, and the Black Horse Cavalry at Warrenton. He is fully on the alert, and confident of his ability to repel any attack from cavalry. z A. 8. WILLIAMS, Brigadier-General, Commanding. We are pushing out forces from here up the Rappahannock and toward Warrenton. Answer what co-operation we may expect from above. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. Washington, D. C., February 25, 1863. Major-General BUTTERFIELD: I have sent out a force of cavalry, 2,000 strong, toward Catlett’s and Rappahannock Stations, by the way of Fairfax, to intercept the enemy. ‘This force will leave by 8 o’clock, February 26; if possible, sooner. The commanding officer will have a copy of the telegram received from you at 7 o’clock this evening. 8. P. HEINTZELMAN, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, February 25, 1863. (Received 9 p. m.) Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: A mystery hangs over the dispatch of Yager [following]. It is a physical impossibility for the enemy to make a raid into Maryland at this season of the year. Besides, the Potomac River, I should judge, is not fordable. The rebels have a cavalry force on this side of the river, outside of my exterior pickets, which I hope to hive before morning. JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General. General Jackson and army are at Starmton, with the intention of making a raid in Maryland, with the help of General Stuart. YAGER. ; FEBRUARY 25, 1863—7.45 p. m. Brig-Gen. W. W. AVERELL, Potomac Run: The commanding general directs that you follow the enemy’s-foree; that you do not come in until the force which General Stoneman is directed to send out at 1 a. m. gets up with the enemy, and you have captured him or found it utterly impossible to do so. Stoneman will endeavor to get between them and the river.* DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff. Stoneman has been instructed to move the force from here at once. Pleasonton to be in position at Aquia Church, to co-operate or execute any order. A brigade of infantry to move to Berea Church from Couch’s corps at once.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,