Letter

George G. Meade to Major-General FRENCH, October 13, 1863

HEADQUARTERS,

October 13, 1863—6 a. m. Major-General FRENCH, Commanding Third Corps:

Your dispatch is received. If you are attacked, you must defend yourself, and, if practicable, withdraw in accordance with the order of movement. If the enemy is too strong for you, report it and re-enforcements will be sent you. General Warren is at Fayetteville. Headquarters will move from here to Bealeton.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, and Chief of Staff.

OCTOBER 138, 1863—7 a. m. Brigadier-General TERRY .

Please hand the following dispatch to General Newton immediately on his arrival :

The commanding general directs that, upon the arrival at Warrenton Junction of either the Fifth or Sixth Corps, the First Corps move about 5 miles along the railroad toward Rristoe Station, and there be held ready to move.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
CIRCULAR. } HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
October 13, 1863.
There is good reason to believe that the enemy is moving on our
left flank, Ewell's corps by the Warrenton pike, and Hill's by Salem
and Thoroughfare Gap. It is hoped we are sufficiently far ahead
to enable the seizure of the Centreville Heights in advance of the
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: Major-General Meade instructs defensive and withdrawal tactics for Major-General French's Third Corps amid enemy movements on the left flank, coordinating troop positions near Warrenton Junction and Rappahannock railroad.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 29, Part 1 View original source ↗