Summary:
Union General William F. Smith writes Darius Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna at Chambersburg, in July, 1863, concerning cavalry forces in Pennsylvania. Smith mentions ordering emergency troops raised to defend the state during the Gettysburg campaign to proceed to Chambersburg.

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Maj.-Gen. Couch,
Comdg. Department of the Susquehanna:

Hagerstown, Md.,

July 24, 1863.

Gen.:

I inclose Col. Franklin's report, which does not put so gloomy a face on matters as was yesterday given in conversation sought for that purpose. He then stated that the colonel of one of the regiments had come to him, and informed him that the regiment would refuse to go on picket, and that the command was generally dissatisfied with the detention here. I informed him that since he had expressed the opinion that he could not depend upon any regiment to force the refractory one to its duty, I would, at any time he desired, send for a couple of McReynolds' regiments to enforce obedience. I also asked him to report the whole matter to me in writing, that I might forward it to you. It had not reached me when your note came last night. I have ordered the "emergency men" of the cavalry to be sent to Chambersburg.

Very respectfully,

WM. F. SMITH, Brig.-Gen.

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Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 764, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.