Jos. Dickinson to Robert Cowdin, September 8, 1861

Colonel COWDIN, Commanding First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers :

The major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac 1s informed that two companies of rebel troops and other small portions were seen this morning in the direction of Upper Marlborough and extending down the Patuxent towards Lower Marlborough. For this and other reasons the brigadier-general commanding the brigade directs that you proceed with your regiment to Upper Marlborough by the most direct route, and from that point send out scouting parties in direction of Alexandria and Lower Marlborough. For this service two companies of cavalry will be ordered to report to you, and the whole of your command will march, provided with five days’ rations and forty rounds of ammunition and with a dozen axes and spades. Your men will take their overcoats and blankets, and you may require five or six wagons. Let their loads be light, so as not to embarrass

. your progress. You will watch the enemy and report at once anything of importance that may occur. It is possible that the parties seen were local troops, which should be captured ; also, all supplies intended for

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590. 7 OPERATIONS IN MD., N. VA, AND W. VA. [Cuar. XIV. –

their use or that of the rebel forces. You will use your cavulry freely, and collect all the information possible about the enemy’s movements, and will also hold your force in hand and not permit them to commit depredations upon the citizens.

As General Sickles will send the same amount of force to Patuxent

as your own, it is desirable that your parties should connect between that and Upper Marlborough. You will exercise great care to prevent your scouts firing on those of Sickles’ brigade. You will report to me regularly twice a day, and will make special reports of anything of consequence that occurs.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,