Summary:
Union General Darius Couch, commanding at Chambersburg, writes General William Averell in July, 1864. In response to Averell's request for signal men, Couch replies that he has none on hand, having ordered them to Harper's Ferry. Couch also mentions rumors of an advance by Confederate forces into Maryland and southern Pennsylvania, and asks Averell to keep him informed of the situation so he can save the Valley's stock by warning farmers in the event of an emergency.

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Gen. W. W. AVERELL:

CHAMBERSBURG,

July 27, 1864.

I sent all my signal officers to Harper's Ferry more than three weeks ago. They have been ordered to return, and should they come by way of Hagerstown order the line established as you may desire. I have a report, via Mercersburg, that McCausland is crossing at Cherry Run, but have not believed it. This valley is full of stock. Unless you can successfully resist their cavalry it is of great importance that I have early information of their crossing in order to alarm the farmers. Anything that I have got shall be at your disposal.

D. N. COUCH,
Maj.-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 37, Serial No. 71, Pages 477, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.