HDQRS. ELEVENTH CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Stafford Court-House, Va., December 28, 1862-12.30 p. m.

Colonel L. P. DI CESNOLA,

Commanding Cavalry Brigade:

COLONEL: General Stahel desires me to say, in answer to your communication just received, that you will probably receive instructions from Colonel Meysenburg, who has gone out on the road toward Dumfries. In case you do not receive instructions from him you will fall back this evening to Garrisonville and encamp there for the night. You will guard against a surprise, but in case of an attack you will act as the circumstances may distate. I send your communication, with a copy of this order, to Colonel Meysenburg.

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

R. M. ROGERS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[21.]

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, December 30, 1862-2.55 p. m.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

Your dispatch of yesterday received to-day as to building telegraph from Martinsburg to Winchester. I have not answered sooner because so busy providing to meet the raid of rebel cavalry. Stuart has, it seems, slipped through the Army of the Potomac, and was reported crossing the Potomac to-day at Harrison's Island. I have forces scattered and very insufficient for heading him off or catching him, but will do the best I can. See dispatch to General Halleck. I suspend decision as to the telegraph line for General Kelley until this affair is over. I did not come to Washington Saturday because your permission came too late, and last night I went to Philadelphia to the marriage of one of my aides.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,

Major-General, Commanding.

[21.]

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, Md., December 30, 1862-4 p. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

What general is in command of the south side of the Potomac in the vicinity of Harrison's Island, and what information has he of the movements of Lee's cavalry?*

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,

Major-General.

[21.]

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, December 30, 1862-3 p. m.

Brigadier-General KELLEY,

Commanding, Harper's Ferry:

I have just learned that my staff officer who was directed to dispatch to you this morning information as to rebel cavalry crossing and

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* For reply, see 9.10 p. m., VOL. XXI, p. 921.

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