Summary:
Union General Darius Couch reports from Chambersburg to General David Hunter regarding the situation in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania in July, 1864. Couch reports cavalry fighting in Maryland, and describes the arrival of the Hagerstown quartermaster at Chambersburg with a large supply column.

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Maj.-Gen. HUNTER,
Cmdg. Dept. of West Virginia, Cumberland, Md.:

Harrisburg, Pa.,

July 19, 1864.

GEN.:

I have the honor to inform you that a few cavalrymen of this department have been scouting and fighting some in Maryland. More will be ordered along the line near Greencastle, Waynesborough, and Emmitsburg. As this cavalry is mostly new and unacquainted with the country it will be necessary for them to extend their reconnaissance into the adjacent State of Maryland in order that they make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the roads and general features of the country, to which I trust you will have no objection. At 11 p. m. on the evening of the 3d instant Capt. Hopkins, assistant quartermaster at Hagerstown, appeared at my headquarters, Chambersburg, at the head of a train of wagons, loose horses, mules, &c., extending below Greencastle. About 150 of strays were gathered by my orders the next day. I consider that this officer shamefully abandoned his post and Government property, and have no words to express to you my indignation at his conduct.

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

D. N. COUCH,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg. Department.

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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 37, Serial No. 71, Pages 390-391, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.