Unknown to Humphreys, October 16, 1863
General HUMPHREYS:
My answer to your dispatch: The railroad cutting is very deep and oblique to the road on the opposite side of Bull Run. It is not commanded on this side and can he commanded on the other. Whoever holds the crossing must have both sides of the river.
W. M. H. FRENCH, Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF Washington,
October 16, 1863—8.45 p. m. General Rurus KING,
Fairfax Court-House:
While you remain attached to the Army of the Potomac you will, of course, receive no orders from this office, but while you remain in your present vicinity I would like you to report tome every night what has occurred during the day, and as much oftener as events occur which you may think I ought to know.
Cc. C. AUGUR, Major-General, Commanding.
Washington, October 16, 1863—10 a. m. Major-General CoucH,
It is reported that the enemy has appeared on the Potomac near Clear Spring or Cherry Run. I think your troops should act in that direction, instead of going to Harper’s Ferry at present.
nap, XLL] OORBRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.
CAMDEN STATION, October 16, 1863. (Received 3.15 p. m.)
_At 7.15 last evening I received the following telegram from Brigadier-General Sullivan, in response to inquiries:
HARPER’S FERRY, [October] 15—7.15 -p. m. JOHN W. GARRETT, President :
I am convinced there_are no rebels in my front. Imboden is reported by my ‘scouts to bein Loudoun. I have a cavalry force in Winchester this evening, and ‘one in the Back Creek country. Iam satisfied the road is as safe as it can be made. I will keep you advised of any movement I may learn of the enemy toward the road. Now there is no danger.
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
At 9.50 this a. m. I received from Mr. Quincy, of our engineer corps, the following telegram :
HARPER’S FERRY, October 16, 1863—9.53 a. m.
JOHN W. GARRETT, President: f We following has been received here from Martinsburg this morning, dated last night : “Prisoners say two brigades of Longstreet’s corps were marching down Back Creek Valley to-day, with the object of surprising this force ; that they are camped near the railroad, 12 miles above here, to-night.
” Tieutenant, and Aide-de-Camp.”
A force of 87 men were advancing on Back Creek yesterday. This entire force was captured, and scouts from Back Creek Valley yesterday morning reported no enemy to be seen. General Sullivan tells me he cannot think the report as to Longstreet correct, yet it comes from headquarters at Martinsburg. I send it to you for such action as to trains .as you think best.
At 10.40 I have the following :
HLARPEB’S FERRY, [October] 16—10.40 a. m. JOHN W. GARRETT:
Later advices from Martinsburg, obtained from prisoners, state that on their way to Back Creek Bridge they passed infantry stragglers, who informed them that they belonged to Longstreet’s corps, two brigades of which had crossed Valley pike at Strasburg. They also passed five ambulances belonging to same. They saw camp fires in Back Creek Valley. They also state that Jenkins is coming toward Charlestown, with 4,000 men and sixteen pieces.of artillery. The prisoners are unusually reticent. General Sullivan tells me he does not believe these reports. I send them
to you for such action as you deem proper. ‘ a W. C. QUINCY.
As General Sullivan continues not to give credence to these statements, we are working a portion of our trains through.: Have you any information on this subject? Is it probable the forces alleged can be in the valley? The continuance of our trains upon the route maintains the military communication, and ability to re-enforce threatened points. We, therefore, are anxious not to cease working
unless the danger is real. Please advise us. J. W. GARRETT,
President. 22 RB R—VOL XXIX, PT II
WaR DEPARTMENT, October 16, 1863—2.50 p. m. JoHN W. GARRETT, Esq., Baltimore:
One division of Longstreet’s corps went to Charleston, while the rest went to Chattanooga. It is believed that the Charleston division have been sent back to Lee, so that the report of the two brigades of Longstreet being at Strasburg, and moving across in rear to Back Creek, really may be true. The utmost vigilance should be observed, and no pains spared to ascertain the direction of the movement from Strasburg.