F. J. Porter to CHAMBERSBURG, PA., June 15, 1861, June 15, 1861

Chambersburg, Pa., June 15, 1861.

Engineer Corps, en route to Williamsport :

CAPTAIN: In reply to your note of this date, I have, by direction of the commanding general, hastily addressed a letter to General Cadwalader authorizing him to throw a force beyond Williamsport, and to send in advance towards Martinsburg parties to secure against surprise, provided the report you send that Harper’s Ferry 4s vacated be true. He is advised to send you to reconnoiter carefully, and as you know the wishes of the commanding general and the momentous interests at stake, which would suffer even from a check, which would be construed into a victory, to take your advice into consideration and act upon it, knowing, as does the commanding general, that he can rely upon your judgment and prudence not to compromise our present position. You understand the condition of the Army and the impossibility of advancing far with any large portion of our force, and the danger of having a portion cut off. If the enemy has abandoned Harper’s Ferry, the commanding general wishes it occupied as soon as it can be done safely.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S.—We will be at Hagerstown to-night. Keep the general well

informed by expresses.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA., June 15, 1861.

Commanding First Division, en route to Williamsport :

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to give Captain Newton the necessary aid to carefully reconnoiter the position of the enemy