Henry W. Halleck to Sharpe, October 19, 1863

(Received War Department 4 p. m.) Colonel SHARPE, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

I am satisfied that Longstreet’s corps has returned from Bragg and joined General Lee. Iam satisfied, also, that they are going to invade Maryland and Pennsylvaniaagain. The star they are watching and joking after is Washington and Maryland. Our force was drawn up in a line of battle at 3 o’clock at Martinsburg. The Potomac River is very high, and cannot be forded by our men or the rebels before Tuesday or Wednesday.

The force in our front is Imboden’s command. Five deserters and Union men say his force amounts to about 2,500 effective men; Gilmor’s Independent Battalion, about 150 men; White’s and Mosby’s guerrillas numbering frum 300 to 400.

A reliable Union man from Charlestown, who is fleeing from the rebels, states that there are some 7,000 or 8,000 men marching on to Martinsburg. They are a portion of Ewell’s corps. General Kelley ought to throw re-enforcements toward Hancock to shelter them.

All my scouts who came in and reported to me say that General Lee has a large army, and if he cannot capture Washington, Baltimore, and redeem Maryland, that he will fortify South Mountain, and will winter in Washington County, Md., and draw his supplies from the richest parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Iam satisfied that they are coming. They have had the Union force weighed and counted, and found them wanting. Prepare for the storm.

respectfully,