George G. Meade to Carr, February 4, 1863

February 4, 1863. General CARR:

Sir: The major-general commanding directs that you proceed with your division, at as early an hour as possible to-morrow morning, and take post as follows:

One brigade, with a battery, at Hartwood Church; one brigade and battery at the crossing of Deep Run, on the Rappahannock road ; and one brigade on the Rappahannock Station road, about 24 miles beyond Deep Run, ata point where the roads to Ellis’ and Kelly’s Fords branch off.

The object of this disposition is to watch the Rappahannock River, and constitute a support to a cavalry force which will be pushed out beyond you to Rappahannock Station. To enable you to keep a strict watch, and picket all the fords on the river, a regiment of cavalry will be ordered to report to you, whose duty it will be to watch all the fords from United States Ford to Kelly’s Ford, and give you, as well as the cavalry force in your front, timely notice of any attempt on the part of the enemy to cross a body of troops at any point.

Your command will be supplied with three days’ rations and 60 rounds of ammunition, and will take no vehicles but a limited supply of ambulances, the object being to move as lightly and rapidly as possible.

You will be careful to instruct your brigade commanders, besides the cavalry pickets furnished, to post strong infantry pickets around their positions, to prevent any surprise; also to keep up communications with their river pickets, with each other, and the cavalry force in front. You will likewise instruct the cavalry pickets on the river to be careful and not show themselves to the enemy, the object of their being posted being to watch the enemy, but not to let them know of our movement. You will also take measures to prevent citizens communicating intelligence, by putting guards at their houses and confining them during your stay. .

You will communicate frequently with these headquarters by means of orderlies, and, when the officer in charge of the cavalry reconnaissance reports that he has completed it, you will return to this camp.

The officer in charge of the cavalry reconnaissance is Col. J. B. MeIntosh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. He has been directed to detail a regiment to report to you to-morrow at Hartwood Church, and to require the commanding officer, if practicable, to communicate with you before leaving camp, to receive your instructions.

[GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.)

HEADQUARTERS CENTER GRAND Division, February 4, 1863—12 p. m. Col. J. K. KERR:

COLONEL: Colonel McIntosh reporting to me that his force of two regiments will only amount to 600 men, I think you had better add another regiment, say the First Massachusetts, as from the number of the enemy reported as being at the railroad crossing, and the facilities he possesses of crossing both above and below, I should fear 600 would be inadequate to the duty assigned to Colonel McIntosh.

Respectfully, yours,