[CHAP. LXIII.

anxious about the location of these gun boats today, on account of the nervous condition of the guard on Coggins' Point [[Pennsylvania Reserves]. The boats may return tonight. Their absence may be noted, and until we get artillery located, the command at Coggins' Point will not feel safe. Five hundred regular troops under Captain J. D. Wilkins will be there tonight, and so far as their strength will suffice fear nothing; but I would like the cooperation of the gun boats, and for them to lie somewhat fixed in their position, as thesy tend to keep the enemy from a raid. The commanding officer [Colonel Sickel] at Corrings' reported this morning the appearance of cavalry in his front; supposed to be about three companies, but there was no definite information, and I have sent to asvertain the real state of affairs there. He wihtdrew his pickets a long distance. The road asvending the hill is not finished for artillery. In absence of Colonel Averell

[I believe with you] I have called upon Colonel Childs, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, for two companies of his regiment

[previously indicated by him as the one to go over there], and they will cross at 3 o' clock. I design these merely to furnish small pickets until others cross and all get into position. I propose the following at Coggins' Point: To send over one battery [12 - pounders] today so soon as the road is ready, which will be in half an hour [about 2, 30], and tomorrow another battery

[horse artillery]. Tomorrow I send a brigade of at least 1, 500 men under General Butterfield to stay two days, to be relieved by one of Sykes', and so on throught the corps. As soon as they can be obtained the cavalry will go over, and reconnoitering parties employed. At Cole's Landing I have 200 men. They have been directed [to complete], and I presume by this time have completed the rifle - pits. No gun boats protect. I presume by this time the lower battery, under General Barry's direction, is prepared to lend its aid.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. J. PORTER,

Major - General, Commanding.

[11.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Numbers 34.
Camp near Sperryville, Va., August 4, 1862.

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II. The Purnell Legion will proceed via Warrenton to take post as a guard on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad between Catlett's Station and Culpeper Court - House. The public sotres now at Warrenton will be sent thence via Rappahannock railroad bridge to Culpeper under a sufficient escort, to be furnished by this regiment. Upon arriving at Warrenton Juction the colonel of the regiment will proceed to post the necessary guards at the bridge along the line of the road, commencing at Catlett's Station. Upon reaching the Rappahannock he will establish his headquarters and the greaterportion of his regiment at the railroad crossing of that river, and will then send forward the public stores with their escort to Culpeper, establishing at the same time the necessary guards for the railroad bridge up to that point. Upon the arrival of the public stores at Culpeper the escort will return to the headquarters of its regiment at the crossing of the Rappahannock.

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By command of Major - General Pope:

R. O. SELFRIDGE,
Assistant Adjutant - General.

[12.]