Danl. Butterfield to John Sedgwick, April 30, 1863

April 30, 1863. Major-General SEDGWICK, Commanding, éc.: GENERAL: The Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps are all up at Chancellorsville. Two divisions of Couch’s probably now crossing. Sickles, as you are aware, is on his way there. Nothing that we can get at present indicates much force of the enemy in their front. The general as he left expressed great anxiety for prompt and frequent reports and information. I think it would favor operations if you were to make tremendous demonstrations of camp-fires to-night. Have you received the order to keep your supplies replenished in knapsacks and haversacks ? The general, in speaking privately to me about the order in which the movements of the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps were commended, said he had been informed that there was some little feeling down on the left that they were not counted in. He said that would all come right. He expected, when he left here, if he met with no serious opposition, to be on the heights west of Fredericksburg to-morrow noon or shortly after, and, if opposed strongly, to-morrow night. Meade has about 200 prisoners, I learn unofficially ; Slocum not heard from. Gibbon will probably be ordered at sunrise to move to Banks’ Ford and cross to join his corps. Please consider this confidential, and written privately for your information. Communicate as much of it as you think proper, confidentially, to Reynolds. Very truly, yours, DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General. APRIL 30, 1863. [Major-General SEDG WICK :] _ Before General Sickles moves, General Hooker desires to know what and all information General Sedgwick has of the enemy’s forces and position.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,