Summary:
Army of the Potomac Chief of Staff R. B. Marcy sends orders to General Alfred
Pleasonton concerning the pursuit of Jeb Stuart's cavalry on raid in
Pennsylvania during October, 1862. Marcy mentions the strength of the
Confederate force that occupied Chambersburg, and passes on information received
from Chambersburg resident Mr. McClure as to their future movements.
Brig.-Gen. PLEASONTON,
Hagerstown:
October 11, 1862
A report from Governor Curtin this morning states the rebel cavalry force camped at Chambersburg last night, and left there at 9 this morning the direction of Gettysburg. Force about 2,000 strong, consisting of Stuart's and Hampton's cavalry.
It is thought, by Mr. McClure, of Chambersburg, that they intend returning by way of Frederick and Leesburg. You will at once move with your force, and all of Davis' cavalry, at Hagerstown, by Cavetown and Harmon's Gap, to Mechanicstown, where the Sixth Cavalry has been ordered to join you.
You will send scouts on the direct road from Hagerstown to Gettysburg, and also to Emmittsburg and beyond, to ascertain the movements of the enemy. It might be well to send citizens, if you can get them to go, and send any information you may get to these headquarters by telegraph from Hagerstown or Frederick, as may be most convenient.
You will take the best route to cut off the enemy, depending on the information you obtain. Pursue them vigorously, and do not spare your men nor horses, if you see an opportunity of overtaking them. They should not be allowed to escape unharmed.
R B. MARCY,
Chief of Staff.
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 68-69, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
