Joseph Hooker to H. C. Rodgers, March 2, 1863

Lieut. Col. H. C. RODGERS, Assistant Adjutant-General :

The Twelfth Illinois Cavalry have the proper orders to go. This leaves us without a single cavalryman of any use whatever to this post. In regard to protecting the telegraph line, it cannot be done without cavalry to patrol on the Telegraph road, and as soon as the bushwhackers and rebel cavalry find out that we have no patrols on the road, they will turn the right of the Kighth New York Cavalry’s picket-line and have everything their own way. As for protecting this place, we have no doubt but what we have sufficient force within ourselves, and ask no more. We should have cavalry at our disposal to make this post of any

service whatever. W. R. CREIGHTON, Colonel, Commanding Post.

STAFFORD CouRT—HOUSE, March 2, 1863. Capt. C. H. POTTER, Assistant Adjutant-General : Please inform the post at Wolf Run Shoals that my command will probably cross to-night, and instruct them not to obstruct us. P. WYNDHAM, Colonel, de.

Union MILLS,. V. A.,_ March 2, 1863. Capt. C. H. POTTER, Assistant Adjutant-General: Your telegram in regard to Colonel Wyndham’s move is received.* Numerous signals or camp-fires were observed last night in the passes

* Probably copy of Wyndham to Potter, same date.

and along Bull Run Mountains, such as we have before reported. The First Michigan Cavalry, returned just now (2 o’clock) from a scout in front, report that, from smoke and fires observed in the same localities, there is a force there. Are our troops infront? For we fear a conflict with them.

Allis quiet within range of our guns. ALEX. HAYS, Brigadier-General.

UNION MILLS, V. A., March 2, 1863.

Capt. C. H. PoTTErR, : Assistant Adjutant-General, Dept. of Washington: I have asked for information, which has since been answered thus:

The body of ours was driven into Centreville by the enemy’s cavalry from Aldie this day. It is now reported that a force is passing along our front at Yates’ Ford, 2 miles below this place. All apparently quiet otherwise, jut we are on the alert.

ALEX. HAYS, Brigadier-General.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, V. A., March 3, 1863.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief : The field return for February 28, of the troops sent to replace the Pennsylvania Reserves, exhibits the following discrepancy in numbers, Viz: Sick and under

For duty. Extra duty. arrest.

Sent as per field return, Pennsylvania Reserves, January 29, 1863……………… 153 3,516 24 477 21 330 4, 521 Received as per field return, One hundred and thirty-fifth, One hundred and fortythird, One handred and forty-ninth, One hundred and fiftieth, One hundred and fifty-frst Pennsylvania Volunteers, F’ebPHAPY26. ECS Wn sae csc tcescuc on eeiciaxinee 153 2,549 5 249 11 321 8,

Aggregate of each class sent from ere in excess of those returned…. …….. 967 19 228 10 9 1,

The extra-duty men of the Pennsylvania Reserves have all been sent to join their command, with General Heintzelman. I have to request that two regiments, of an aggregate strength of 1,233 officers and men, may be sent to me to make up this deficiency. The absentees from the Pennsylvania Reserves that will undoubtedly soon rejoin their commands are so much in excess of those from the regiments sent here that 1,500 officers and men would not more than make the exchange equal.

Very respectfully, &c.,