commanded by General Lee, and between you and the major-general commanding he expects to use him up.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., May 2, 1863.

General SEDGWICK:

Seize the mayor of Fredericksburg or any citizen. Put them ahead as guides, on pain of death for false information. Meanwhile I will send you one, if I can.*

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., May 2, 1863.

Major-General SEDGWICK:

I send you a contraband, who knows the Plank road leading to Chancellorsville. Push on without delay. I have ordered Gibbon over the river to-night, and, to avoid interference with your column, will have the pontoon bridge laid at the Lacy house for him. Look out that your troops do not come in contact with his.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 2, 1863-12 p.m.

Major-General SEDGWICK:

From the statement brought by General Hooker's aide, it seems to be of vital importance that you should fall upon Lee's rear with crushing force. He will explain all to you. Give your advance to one who will do all that the urgency of the case requires.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,
Major-General, Chief of Staff.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., May 2, 1863-10.20 a.m.

Brigadier-General GIBBON:

I have hardly had time to post you fully in regard to the condition of affairs as I should like to have done. As matters stand now, General Hooker is at Chancellorsville with the Third, Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth, with two divisions of the Second Corps. Reynolds is en route there from the lower crossing. Sedgwick will be at the lower crossing alone after Reynolds is gone. Twenty-eight or thirty pieces of the Reserve Artillery ar at Banks' Ford, with one of your regiments and

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*See Butterfield to Hooker, 11.10 p.m., p.359.

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