John W. Geary to Major-General HUMPHREYS, August 20, 1863

August 20, 1863, Major-General HUMPHREYS:

It is reported by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, Fifth New York Cavalry, said to be at Ballard’s Dam, that a large body of the enemy’s cavalry crossed below him and passed northward. This reaches me through General Greene, who is at Ellis’ Ford.

H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, August 20, 1863. Major-General ScHurRz, Commanding Eleventh Corps: General Kilpatrick telegraphs that Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone denies the report that any cavalry has crossed the river; that the report is not true. The mysterious firing reported as having been heard was probably the cavalry at the mouth of Elk Run discharging their pieces. , -AL A) HUMPHREYS, Major-General, and Chief of Staff.

Hpgrs. SEconD Division, TWELFTH ARMY CORPS, _ Near Ellis’ Ford, Va., August 20, 1863. Lieut. Col. H. C. RopGErs, Asst, Adjt. Gen., Twelfth Army Corps:

CoLONEL: I have the honor to inform the general commanding corps that the general line of pickets perpendicular to the river has been disturbed by the Second Corps pickets having been withdrawn, leaving a space of about 4 miles open between my left and the right of the Second Corps, through which a body of men could pass between here and Morrisville and toward your headquarters without encountering a picket line.

command is now drafted upon to its utmost capacity in maintaining 7 miles of pickets on the river, and from thence to Crittenden’s Mill, 2 miles farther. From the latter place our line was before connected with that of the Second Corps, but owing to the change the long, broken line leaves unguarded the left flank of the army. I deem it my duty to inform you of this change, pone cognizant of the precarious condition our flank is placed in by leaving unguarded the line perpendicular to the river northeast of Crittenden’s Mill.

I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient