Jos. Dickinson, September 13, 1861

SIR:

The report of your operations, dated 2 p. m. on the 12th instant, reached here this morning. Prior to its receipt I had advised you of the views of the brigadier-general commanding in regard to your

future movements, and also informed you that additional rations for

your command would be forwarded to you this morning. They have left, and will reach you to-day, even if you should still be at Lower Marlborough.

From the spirit of the general’s instructions from headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, he is of the opinion that it was not contemplated that you should extend your reconnaissance farther to the south than

Lower Marlborough; nor can it be at this time, unless you should be in possession of information which you have failed to communicate, which I presume is not the case. ; =

It is impossible to make your instructions any other than general, where the extent and character of your operations must depend mainly on information which it is your object to acquire from observation and intercourse with the people around you. If I may form an opinion – from the extracts you have furnished me from Colonel Dwight’s instructions, I conclude that his instructions warrant him in covering a much larger field of operations than was intended for your command, .

and unless you have reliable information that the rebels are in force at. —

Port Tobacco, or that an extensive trade in contraband goods was going on from that point, which it will require your assistance to destroy, I would not advise you to take part in the operations of Colonel Dwight in that direction. If this movement was suggested at headquarters, and it was designed that you should participate in it, it is quite probable that I would have been so advised. Be that as it may, I desire that you will keep open your communication with Colonel Dwight, and hold yourself in readiness to support him in all times of need. ce The general requests that you will keep a good lookout in the direction of the Potomac while Colonel Dwight is operating in the direction. of Port Tobacco; but at all times observe and be governed by your own instructions, rather than the alleged ones of others. The general is gratified with your adherence to them, so far as, he is informed. It is not advisable to direct houses to be searched for individual arms, and in no case unless you have good reasons to suppose that they are used – by the rebels as places of deposit for arms and contraband stores. Be pleased to have the wagons and escort sent you to-day returned without delay. –

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,