Joseph Hooker to Lewis Richmond, November 19, 1862
Lieut. Col. Lewis Richmond, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:
COLONEL: I have the honor to request that you will call the attention of the majorgeneral commanding to the advantage it will be in the prosecution of the campaign to allow my command to cross the Rappahannock at the ford 4 miles distant from this point, and to march, by the most direct route, to Saxton’s Junction. I have three days’ rations from to-morrow morning, and forage I can obtain in the country. At Bowling Green I am nearer to supplies delivered at Port Royal than I can be here, and supplies can be landed at that point in a day and a half from Washington. I make this suggestion in order to have it brought to the general’s attention, in the event it should not already have received his reflection. I cannot possibly encounter a force in this advance which I cannot easily push away, and, should Sickles join me and supplies be properly furnished, continue the advance. It has appeared to me that the lateness of the season almost demands celerity of movement on our part.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major-General, Commanding Center Grand Division.
This movement was not approved, and my command was moved to
the vicinity of the Potomac Creek crossing and the railroad from Aquia
During this time a disgraceful affair at the outpost occurred, in consequence of the neglect of duty of some of the officers of the cavalry
division, resulting in the capture of — men and — horses. The details
of this affair are set forth in the report and correspondence hereto annexed, marked A.*