Winfield S. Hancock to Major-General STAHEL, June 23, 1863

You have been misinformed in regard to the soldier you refer to as having been taken inside of the infantry picket line.

My infantry picket extends only to the railroad crossing here, and is a mere line extending for about a mile around the Gap.

This soldier informs me that he was taken in the road oe the

infantry pickets and Hay Market. WINF’D 8S. HANCOCK, Major-General, Commanding Corps.

[JUNE 23,] 1863. General BUTTERFIELD, Headquarters:

Two rebel cavalrymen, coming from my rear, passed near Hay Market, going toward New Baltimore, and picked up one of Stahel’s cavalrymen, a sutler, a wagon-master, a negro, and a wagon with telegraph wire, which the operator had sent for without my knowledge—all this in sight of Stahel’s picket near Hay Market. The wagon and contents were not troubled, but the individuals were all taken. Coming near New Baltimore, our pickets saw the party

268 N. 0., V. A. W. V. A., M. D., P. A., ETO. [Cuar. XXXIX,

and pursued. The negro and soldier, in the mélée, escaped. The sutler and wagon-master kept on with the two men. I think it not ee the whole party have been captured, as our cavalry was close to them.

All trains are escorted along the road below Gainesville and this place. I have directed by telegraph to Gainesville that this telegraph wire should be brought up in the Se train of to-day, but it appears the dispatch was not delivered.

WINE’D 8S. HANCOCK, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, June 23, 1863. General Hancock: Did you conclude to make two divisions of your corps? DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff. JUNE [23], 1863. [General BUTTERFIELD :] Yes; and have sent programme for the reduction of two divisions, which telegraph operator has now, waiting till the wires get free of

JUNE 23, 1863—1 p. m. General ScHENCK, Baltimore: The general desires that yee send to these headquarters, by a special messenger, without delay, a copy of your last tri-monthly return, with all alterations and changes that have occurred in position of troops since. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

OPERATOR: The same message to be sent to Major-General Heintzelman, Washington.

LEESBURG, V. A., June 23, 1863—4 p. m. General BUTTERFIELD :

A citizen, who left Snicker’s Gap yesterday evening, confirms the reports already sent, relative to the location of Longstreet’s command. He says it is massed near the Gap. Rebel scouts are constantly in

this vicinity. H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, June 23, 1863—6.15 p. m. General SLocum, Leesburg:

General Reynolds reports a column of dust on the Snicker’s Gap

and Leesburg turnpike. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, ; ‘ June 23, 1863—5 p. m. General J. STAHEL, Gainesville:

Your dispatch ae received. You have doubtless ere this received General Butterfield’s telegram directing you to return with your command at once to Fairfax Court-House ; also mine in reference to your allowance of transportation, and giving the quantity of forage to be a hi in the wagons, General Butterfield has received your disatch. The 300 men of the First Michigan Regiment will join you here, 8. WILL

(Received 7 p. m.) Major-General Hancock:

I have been ordered to return to Fairfax with my whole command. As I have already stated to you, this order renders it impossible for me to comply with your request to leave you 200 men. I regret not being able to accommodate you.

The man taken, and whom you alluded to in your dispatch, has returned. He was taken inside the infantry picket line. I am just about starting for Fairfax Court-House,

Respectfully, JUL. STAHEL