Ohief of Staff to Joseph Hooker, January 20, 1863

January 20, 1863—1 a. m. Major-General HooKER, Commanding Center Grand Division :

GENERAL: Your place of crossing will be at a point just above Banks’ Ford instead of United States Ford. The commanding general directs you will please have one division of your command ready to accompany an ajide-de-camp of General Woodbury, who will report to you at 11 a. m. to-day, and will conduct it to a place of bivouac for the night. This division will assist in getting the pontoons down to the river, under the direction of the engineer officer, and will then be thrown across the river in pontoons, with a view to holding the opposite bank while the bridges are being built. The remainder of your command you will please move in such manner as to have the head of your column at the place of crossing at 7.30 a.m. on the 21st. General Franklin crosses at a point a mile below you. The aide of General Woodbury will designate to you on the map your place of crossing. Definite written instructions will be given you to-morrow as to your movements when across the river.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant