George G. Meade to Henry W. Halleck, October 16, 1863

I do not believe Lee can have over 60,000 effective men.

Longstreet’s corps would not be sent away to bring an equal force back upon the same road ; and there is no other direction for them to have to come from.

Doubtless in making the present movement, Lee gathered in all the available scraps, and added them to Hill’sand Ewell’s corps, but that is all, and he made the movement in the belief that four corps had left General Meade ; and General Meade’s apparently avoidin a collision with him has confirmed him in the belief. it Genera Meade can now attack him on a field no more than equal for us, and will do so with all the skill and courage which he, his officers, and men possess, the honor will be his if he succeeds, and the blame may be mine if he fails.

(Received 6 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALueck, General-in-Chief :

I have directed General Briggs to see that no regiments, old or new, destined for this army, are forwarded till supplied with shelter tents, 40 rounds of ammunition, and three days’ rations in haversacks, and five days’ hard bread and small rations in their knapsacks.

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, October 16, 1863. Major-General HaLLEck, General-in-Chief :

GENERAL: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, by the hands of Colonel Cutts, aide-de-camp, inclosing one from the President, and have to say in reply, that it has been my intention to attack the enemy, if I can find him on a field no more than equal for us, and that I have only delayed doing so from the difficulty of ascertaining his exact position, and the fear that in endeavoring to do so my communications might be jeopardized.

Respectfully, yours,