Summary:
Union General Darius Couch, commanding at Chambersburg, writes in July, 1864, to General William Averell to ascertain his plans in the face of advancing Confederates under Jubal Early. Couch asks Averell to send a messenger by the afternoon train to Chambersburg if Averell deems telegraph communication unsafe.

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Brig. Gen. W. W. AVERELL:

CHAMBERSBURG,

July 29, 1864.

Should the enemy turn your right flank and move into this State, will you pursue them, provided they threaten your front; or, if they move on your right flank in overpowering numbers, will you fall back into this Valley or move to the left? It will be of great service for me to know this. If you can't safely send answer by telegraph, but wish to let me know, can't you send it up by confidential messenger on afternoon train?

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 508, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.