Danl. Butterfield to John Sedgwick, May 2, 1863

May 2, 1863—12 p. m. Major-General SEDGWICK :

From the statement brought by General Hooker’s aide, it seems to be of vital importance that you should fall upon Lee’s rear with crushing force. He will explain all to you. Give your advance to one who will do all that the urgency of the case requires.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, V. A., May 2, 1863—10.20 a. m. Brigadier-General GIBBON : I have hardly had time to post you fully in regard to the condition of affairs as I should like to have done. As matters stand now, General Hooker is at Chancellorsville with the Third, Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth, with two divisions of the Second Corps. Reynolds is en route there from the lower crossing. Sedgwick will be at the lower crossing alone after Reynolds is gone. Twenty-eight or thirty pieces of the Reserve Artillery are at Banks’ Ford, with one of your regiments and

“See Butterfield to Hooker, 11.10 p. m., p. 359,

CnaP. XXXVIL) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

some engineers. Two bridges ready to be thrown across whenever the ford is uncovered. Stonemaun’s cavalry is supposed to be in the enemy’s rear, on the line of his railroad. Sedgwick has one division of the enemy in front of him, and the balance are in front of General Hooker. Please report to me what appearances are in your front along the river at Fredericksburg and your vicinity.

Very respectfully,