Letter

George G. Meade to Major-General WARREN, September 15, 1863

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,

September 15, 1863. Major-General WARREN, Commanding Second Army Corps:

GENERAL: Major-General Pleasonton desires me to say to you that General Kilpatrick reports that the enemy have received heavy re-enforcements; that there has been cheering and bands playing to-night. You can hear the rumbling of artillery and trains. Nee had better have your corps up here by daylight, for they could make a crossing with their infantry in the morning against the force we could bring against them, as we have such a long line to protect and

they have the railroad bridge to cross upon. C. ROSS SMITH,

Ineutenant-Colonel, Chief of Staff.

SEPTEMBER 15, 1863—10 p. m. Commanding Officer Cavalry Corps:

What reason have you for supposing the enemy will attempt to drive you back with infantry ? I am not yet prepared to move the whole army forward, awaiting instructions from Washington, but if you have reason to believe, or have any evidence that Lee will cross the Rapidan to give me battle between the two rivers, it would prove his having a greater force than we have supposed, and would

militate against the retrograde movement. GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.

CIRCULAR. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, September 15, 1863—11.25 p. m.

To all Corps and Independent Commanders: The following movements of troops are ordered, and will take place to-morrow, the 16th instant, and will commence punctually at

a, Mm. : Twelfth Corps, to Stevensburg. First Corps, midway between Stevensburg and Culpeper CourtFifth Corps, in rear of Culpeper. Third Corps, midway between Culpeper and Stone-House Mountalin,

Sixth Corps, at Stone-House Mountain. ;

Eleventh Corps will be distributed to guard the bridges at Rappahannock crossing, Catlett’s, and Bristoe. ) .

The depots at Bealeton, Warrenton, and Warrenton Junction will be broken up, and all supplies drawn from Culpeper Court-House, where a depot will pe established. ;

The Artillery Reserve will move forward and take position in the vicinity of Fifth Corps.

The cavalry will picket the front and guard the flanks of the army.

Hoadguarters will be at Culpeper Court-House or vicinity.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Hpgrs. ARMY AND DistRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
New Berne, N. C., September'15, 1863.
Maj. Gen. J. G. Foster,
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: Major-General Meade discusses enemy reinforcements and potential infantry crossing, urging readiness while awaiting Washington's orders amid concerns of Confederate General Lee's movements near the Rapidan River.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 29, Part 1 View original source ↗