HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 15, 1862.

General A. PLEASONTON,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: General Hancock is to make a reconnaissance in force from Harper's Ferry toward Bunker Hill to-morrow morning at daylight. I have ordered all the cavalry to him that we have here, but the general commanding does not think it sufficient. If you can fit out 200 or 300 men from your command to report to him or General Couch at Harper's Ferry by daylight to-morrow morning please do so, and send Farnsworth or some good colonel to command all the cavalry. Hancock takes about 5,000 infantry with him. Please answer.

Very respectfully,

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 15, 1862--10 a. m.

General KELLEY,

Commanding, Cumberland, Md.:

A rumor has reached here that the main portion of the Confederate army is crossing the Potomac at Cumberland. While no credence whatever is attached to this, it may be well to exercise particular vigilance in that vicinity, and be on the alert for any indication of such a design.

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

[19.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 15, 1862--11.30 a. m.

Brigadier General W. W. AVERELL,

Commanding First Cavalry Brigade, near Downsville, Md.:

GENERAL: Your communication of 9 p. m. yesterday is received, reporting your return with your command.* You will remain in your present position until further orders, using every effort to refit your command, shoe your horses, and get in readiness for active service. You are authorized to organize the pack-mule train for your brigade as suggested.

Yours, very respectfully,

R. B. MARCY,

Chief of Staff.

[19.]

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,

Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., October 16, 1862.

The major-general commanding, considering that the movement now going on may lead to a continued movement, directs that the division commanders be prepared to move at short notice, with provisions ready to issue at any moment, and at least one day's rations in haversack.

By command of Major General F. J. Porter:

ALEX. S. WEBB,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff.

[19.]

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*See VOL. XIX, Part II, p. 40.

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