Danl. Butterfield to Joseph Hooker, December 13, 1862

December 13, 1862—11 p. m.

GENERAL: Griffin’s division to-day relieved Sturgis’, at the urgent request of Generals Sturgis and Willcox, and, by your order, I am now to relieve Couch’s line with Sykes and Humphreys. General Willcox states that Sturgis’ command has been in all day; his ammunition exhausted, and he cannot properly relieve Griffin. { am, therefore, fighting or holding to-morrow Couch’s line and Sturgis’ portion of Willcox’s line, a longer line than I ought to fight, and almost without support of my own. Of course, Couch and Willcox will, as soon as replenished with ammunition, be able to support or relieve me, but I do not think I should be placed in such a position. On our picket lines the enemy ure heard talking; moving of wheels is heard, but 1 have no positive information as to what the nature of the movement is. I inclose a report received from General Humphreys.

very respectfully, yours,