Darius N. Couch to Robert Le Roy, June 17, 1863

Colonel TRUEX, Monocacy :

Am awaiting answer to my last telegram. What do you learn from the front? In approaching Maryland Heights, the general leaves much to your discretion. Since his orders, the position has changed, Harper’s Ferry being abandoned and Maryland Heights alone held. Send scouts in advance. Report intelligence, and, as stated before, be very cautious. Can you, without embarrassing your movements, give detail to assist in loading forage at Frederick ?

By order: DONN PIATT, Chief of Staff.

BALTIMORE, June 17, 1863. Major-General HALLEcK, General-in-Chief, Washington: The following has just been received :

NEw CREEK, V. A., June 17, 1863.

Colonel Galligher, of Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, reported by messenger this morning that he had arrived at Hancock with about 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 infantry of General Milroy’s division, without rations, and with but little ammunition. I notified him I would supply him, and ordered him to fall back on New Creek, but, on account of the subsequent occupation of Cumberland by Imboden’s forces, I directed him to retreat north into Pennsylvania.

This information, excepting last order, was embraced in a dispatch to you of this morning, which, however, appears not to have been sent, owing to the cutting of the wires between Cumberland and New Creek.

I have informed General Couch of this. He may be able, I hope, to communicate with these men, supply them, and use them to whip Jenkins’ cavalry at Chambersburg, who, I have ascertained, certainly were less than 1,400 when they passed Hagerstown, and without artillery. ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding. (Similar letter to Couch.)

BaLTIMoRE, Mp., June 17, 1863. (Received 3 p. m.) H. W. Hat.eck, General-in-Chief:

Folbowing is just received from General Kelley, at New Creek:

Arrived at Cumberland at 3.30 this morning. Left for this place at 6 by train. Found track 10 miles from Cumberland torn up. Returned to Cumberland, and found the place invested by Imboden with two regiments of cavalry and_battery. On the outside of the town I met Lieutenant joan P.] Hart, of the Ringgold Battalion, with 50 cavalry, under whose escort, I, with staff, came here. Find the troops between Martinsburg and Piedmont concentrated here, and learn that a portion of General Averell’s command is on the way.

Will keep you advised. ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

184 N. ©, VA.. W. V. A. M. D., P. A., ETC. [Cuar. XXXIX.

BALTIMORE, Mp., June 17, 1863.

Can you have the track between New Creek and Cumberland repaired, or without it go down upon Imboden? Some portion of the raid may, perhaps, go over the mountains south of you, or Imboden may take the National road. Averell should leave a watch at the gap south of Grafton, and a nucleus of his command at Grafton, with means of transportation by railroad or land between.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General.

BALTIMORE, M. D., June 17, 1863—7 p. m. Major-General HALLECK :

Imboden, with his forces, may intend to push across through Uniontown, Pa., by the National road to Wheeling. I am looking to that, among other contingencies. There should be a gunboat at Wheeling, one also at Parkersburg, and one on the Kanawha. While Averell keeps the nucleus of his command for concentration at Grafton, I have directed that he shall have cavalry watching the passes westward through the mountains at Beverly and elsewhere. Thave instructed Kelley, at New Creek, to look after Imboden.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General. (Similar letter to Couch.)

BALTIMORE, June 17, 1863. Brigadier-General AVERELL, Grafton:

You were telegraphed to keep watch of mounted men at Beverly. Keep portion of your force at Grafton, toconcentrate on for enemy passing westward. For this purpose, have abundant of transportation between New Creek and Grafton. General Kelley is with you by this time, and has full instructions.

DONN PIATT, Chief of Staff.

: GRAFTON, W. V. A., [June] 17, 1863. Major-General Brooks:

Enemy reported at Cumberland at 7 a. m. to-day, moving westward. J. E. K. B. [Stuart] cannot well come from Staunton without my

being timely notified. W. M. W. AVERELL, Brigadier-General.

CINCINNATI, Ohio, June 17, 1863. (Received 10.20 p. m.)

My regiment, 800 strong, is on its way home for muster-out. I have offered their services, with their unanimous consent, to you for Pennsylvania’s defense, through General Burnside. Please advise me of your action, care of General Brooks, at Pittsburgh.

G. W. MINDIL, Colonel Twenty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers.

Wark DEPARTMENT, June 17, 1863—10.45 p. m. Col. GrorGE W. MINDIL, Twenty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers, Cincinnati:

You will accept for yourself, and express to your gallant regiment, the thanks of the Government for your patriotic offer, which is cordially accepted. You will please proceed with your regiment as rapidly as possible to Pittsburgh, by the way of the Ohio Central Railroad, in order that you may stop at Wheeling, if your services should be required there by General Brooks. He will communicate with you on the road, and you can reach Pittsburgh by that line if he should prefer to have you there.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

(Copy to Pittsburgh, care of General Brooks.)

BALTIMORE, June 17, 1863. Major-General CoucH:

No rebel force has crossed the Baltimore and Ohio road between this and Harper’s Ferry. The enemy attacked at Harper’s Ferr last night, and at 2.30 this a. m. the telegraph office there was closed, and I suppose my troops at that place have withdrawn to Maryland Heights. The line is now working to Sandy Hook, a station near

car eae ROBT. C. SCHENCK Major-General, Commanding.

HARRISBURG, P. A., June 17, 1863. (Received 11.35 a. m.) The militia, I think, will not generally be mustered for six months, but, with the advice of Mr. [William M.] Meredith, I suggest that they be mustered to serve during the emergency. —

Please answer. D. N. COUCH, Major-General. War DEPARTMENT, June 17, 1863—1 p. m. Major-General Coucu, Harrisburg: What force of the enemy has entered Pennsylvania, according to your best information, and where is it ?

Please answer immediately. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Wark DEPARTMENT, June 17, 1863—1.40 p. m. Major-General Coucu, Harrisburg, Pa.: Let them be called upon to muster under the President’s call. If

they refuse, then muster them in whichever way you can. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

186 N. 0. V. A. W. V. A. M. D., P. A., ETC. (Cuar. XXXIX,

HARRISBURG, June 17, 1863—1.15 P m. (Received 4 p. m.) The rebel force at Chambersburg has been counted, and from 1,200 to 1,500 reported, all mounted infantry or carbineers. They picket 5 miles this side.

Major-General. (Copy to General Hooker.)

Wak: DEPARTMENT, June 17, 1863—4.40 p. m. Major-General Covucu, Harrisburg:

You say the rebel force is 1,500 at Chambersburg. Is there any other rebel force in Pennsylvania? If so, where, and in what numbers ?

An early and accurate answer is needed here, to determine movements against the enemy.

HARRISBURG, June 17, 1863—4.50 p. m.

I have information that rebels have evacuated Chambersburg. I send this evening to Shippensburg an observing force of infantry. D. N. COUCH, Major-General.

HARRISBURG, June 17, 1863—9.15 p. m.

The only rebel force I know of in Pennsylvania is the one of 1,500 that has fallen back of Chambersburg 2 miles. No rebels north of Hancock, as reported. We have reliable dispositions for getting information in the valley north of Hancock. Some of Milroy’s stragglers retreated that way.

SPECIAL Sparse Hpgrs. DEPT. OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, No. 6. June 17, 1863.

VII. Col. Emlen Franklin is placed in charge of the defense of the fords and ferries on the Susquehanna River, from Columbia Bridge to Dauphin County line.

By command of Maj. Gen. D. N. Couch: