Joseph Hooker to Robert C. Schenck, March 16, 1863
Major-General SCHENCK, Baltimore, Md. : All troops in Western Virginia will be added to yourcommand. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company represent that their road about Harper’s Ferry is unsafe under General Milroy. Can you not put a more competent officer in his place? I must again call your attention to the importance of constructing block-houses for the defense of railroad bridges. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, March 16, 1863—6.30 p. m. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief : Have just received your telegram of this p.m. This morning I dispatched 3,000 cavalry to attack and break up the cavalry camp of: Fitzhugh Lee and Hampton in the vicinity of Culpeper. Is it ordered that the residue of my cavalry force shall be sent on to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, so as to prevent any large body from moving toward Harper’s Ferry? Can no one tell where all the enemy’s cavalry come from ? JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General, Commanding. * Substance given in Wright to Scammon, p. 138, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, March 16, 1863—6.30 p. m. Hon. E. K. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: [ have just received a telegram from the major-general commanding the army, informing me that it is expected that I will dispatch all my cavalry force to the protection of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. As this movement will involve consequences of the most momentous character, I have applied for unconditional orders. Please see that they are sent me. See my telegram to Major-General Halleck.
' JOSEPH HOOKER,