Summary:
In October, 1862, Confederate Cavalry General Jeb Stuart raided Maryland and
Pennsylvania. In this dispatch, Union Signal Corps Adjutant William Stryker
sends orders for movements to meet Stuart. He mentions Stuart's capture of
Chambersburg.
Capt. B. F. FISHER,
Cmdg. Signal Detachment:
October 10, 1862
The rebel Gen. Stuart, with about 3,000 cavalry and two batteries took Chambersburg this afternoon, and is now trying to return to Virginia. By daylight to-morrow you will have a party at Williamsport, to communicate with Rowley; one on Washington Monument, to communicate with Spencer, at Hagerstown; one on Catoctin Ridge, west of Frederick, commanding the valleys on both sides for the ridge, and communicating with a point as near as is practicable to this camp. Notify Point of Rocks of the facts. All are to look out and instantly report any force of this nature trying to move across the Potomac Washington Monument reporting to Hagerstown, Rowley reporting to Hagerstown and Williamsport, and stations on Catoctin Ridge reporting near here. Carry out these orders as promptly as possible.
Send a party to assist Rowley and ascertain whether he is taken prisoner, as is possible, the enemy being reported as having crossed at the ford near Fairview. Cox is at Hancock, with his division in railroad cars, and will move by rail the instant he receives information. Officers will return after forty-eight hours, ordered.
By order of Maj. A. J. Myer:
WM. S. STRYKER,
First Lieut. and Adjutant, signal Corps.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 19, Serial No. 28, Pages 34, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
