Robert Patterson to E.D. Townsend, June 3, 1861

Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington City :

COLONEL: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place. Previous to leaving Philadelphia, I arranged for the satisfactory working of the staff departments there and on this line, and in passing Harrisburg removed many inconveniences under which we have labored for the transportation of troops and supplies. Though this road is of very limited capacity, I expect to execute my designs as herein expressed. I am forced to adopt this mode of putting the column in motion, as not more than six regiments of infantry per day can be transported over the railroad. Wagons will be arriving and no inconvenience will be experienced, as regiments will be receiving accouterments while the troops are advancing to Hagerstown.

My impressions as to the point of attack indicated in my plan of operations have been confirmed by Captain Newton, who has been industriously engaged gathering information, and I shall arrange to advance on Thursday morning. I request to be informed by telegraph if the General-in-Chief has no objection.

Unless something should change my present design, I will direct Colonel Thomas to pass through Hagerstown early on Saturday morning, and advance the whole or part, as circumstances indicate best, of his command to Williamsport, seize the ford, and throw pickets beyond.

As he passes through Hagerstown a company of cavalry will be detached from his advance guard to theroad leading through Boonsborough to Harper’s Ferry. The brigade under General Williams (three regiments) will be directed to follow Colonel Thomas, and will be close upon him. Other regiments will be thrown forward as rapidly as the capacity of the road will permit (six or seven per day, probably), and sent on the roads towards Boonsborough and Williamsport—the former to guard against forays from Harper’s Ferry, the latter to sustain the main column. Some of these regiments will reach Hagerstown as soon as Colonel Thomas. Of course I rely upon artillery arriving in time to permit the column to continue on towards Martinsburg.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. 661

5 i On Monday morning I hope to have about fourteen regiments in and in advance of Hagerstown. I asked this morning by telegraph for the Second Infantry, which newspaper report placed at Pittsburgh. My design was to unite it to a brigade of volunteers, to command of which . Colonel Miles would be assigned, thus having two brigades under experien:ed officers of the Regular Army. The information I have received leads me to believe a desperate resistance will be offered at Harper’s Ferry. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,