Summary:
Union Colonel R. B. Marcy writes General William Franklin in October, 1862, with
instructions from General McClellan. He suggests that cavalry and new infantry
units be sent to Chambersburg to help guard the Potomac.
Maj.-Gen. FRANKLIN,
Hagerstown, Md.:
October 28, 1862
Gen. Couch telegraphs that a contraband, who left the Fifth Virginia Cavalry yesterday, says that regiment is just beyond Charlestown; that on Sunday Hill's division returned, passing near Leetown, and that cavalry said that Jackson was coming with whole force to retake Harper's Ferry. Contraband is confident that infantry is back of Charles town, as he heard drums.
Gen. Porter telegraphs that, from several sources, he has impression that Gen. Lee is not far distant, and Stuart within an hour's reach. The same number of cavalry regiments as usual are opposite him. He communicates same intelligence as received form Maryland Heights, that enemy was moving to-day from Bunker Hill to Shannondale.
The commanding general directs you to suspend movement to Berlin till result of Ovarial's reconnaissance is known. Upon receipt of intelligence from him, communicate it to these headquarters. In the mean time the general desires you so to concentrate your command that it may serve to watch the portion of the river above that now guarded by Porter's corps, and at same time be in position to be thrown promptly toward Williamsport or Berlin, as circumstances may require.
The general intends leaving Kenly, Campbell, Voss, and Davis to guard Upper Potomac. He desires you to state the points at which they had best be posted. The force herein mentioned he considers inadequate for the service designated, but he cannot spare additional troops for the purpose. He will ask that some cavalry and new levies of infantry be sent to Chambersburg, Hagerstown, and vicinity, to aid in guarding the Upper Potomac, and desires your opinion as to their strength and position. Reply immediately.
R. B. MARCY,
Col., &c.
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 501-502, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
