Letter

Unknown to Major-General HUMPHREYS, November 9, 1863

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,

November 9, 1863—11.30 a. m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: An officer from General Kilpatrick has just reported, and states he is picketing within 3 miles of Raccoon Ford, up to the enemy’s cavalry pickets, which extend to Pony Mountain. The enemy still have a force at Culpeper, but General Kilpatrick thinks that, with infantry to support him, he can take Pony Mountain and see what is going on. Some infantry and cavalry were seen going out the Sperryville road this morning. Shall Kilpatrick make the

attempt for Pony Mountain? A. PLEASONTON, Major-General.

BRANDY STATION, V. A., NEAR CULPEPER, November 9, 1863. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL : General Kilpatrick reports that a column of rebel in– fantry was on yesterday evening marching toward Cedar Mountain and one of ‘cavalry toward Sperryville. etachments of infantry and cavalry (not in force) are seen leaving Culpeper on the Sperry-. ville pike. The rebel pickets are in heavy line between Pon Mountain across the country to the hills on the south of the rail– road and in front of Culpeper. .

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Me 8.]–Kilpatrick could take Pony Mountain if supported by
infantry.
NOVEMBER 9, 1863—12 m.
Commanding Officer Third Corps :
Your dispatch is received. The major-general commanding directs that you send a support of infantry to General Kilpatrick to
enable him to take Pony Mountain. Your dispatch inquiring as to
the position of the Second and Fifth Corps was received last night..
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: Major-General Pleasonton requests permission from Major-General Humphreys for General Kilpatrick to attempt capturing Pony Mountain to assess enemy movements near Culpeper during the Civil War.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 29, Part 1 View original source ↗