Darius N. Couch to Williams, February 22, 1863

General WILLIAMS, : Assistant Adjutant-General :

GENERAL: Your letter in reference to the movement of pontoons in Fredericksburg, &c., is received. At present I am unable to report anything in addition to that of yesterday, but, having directed a more diligent inquiry, will inform you as soon as it comes in. The men I questioned yesterday were not positive that pontoons were seen, but thought they were. As for the artillery, one man counted thirty-two 6-horse carriages that he supposed were artillery, but could not see the guns. In my letter I did not intend for the major-general com- manding to understand that I wished to throw off the responsibility of disciplining my command, but rather for him to be informed as to the difficulties in the way of duty—as, for instance, this most unwarrantable neglect of duty occurred under the best picket officer I have, and as good a one as I ever knew, and, too, at a time when we were endeavoring to perfect our picket system, and thought we were successful.

very respectfully,