1862 October 31 Purcellville 2.15. P.M.

Hd. Ar. Cav. Brigade
Purcellville, Oct 31. 2.15 P.M.
To General R. B. Marcy-
  Chief of Staff-
Gneral, our dispatch of 10.30
a.m. marked sent 11.45, is rec'd--
   I have sent an Aid to over=
take General Bayard with a
dispatch communicating the
instructions of the General, &
to save time, have requested
General Bayard to state the
direction he thinks proper to
move where I will immediately
join him-I told my aid
to inform him, verbally, my strength
that he might form some
estimate of the entire force--
      The enemy have some
Cavalry in this valley, but
as long as they keep a signal
station on the blue ridge-
they see every movement I
can make & avoid it--

[page 2]
I have three squandrons out
to day reconnoitering the Blue
Ridge for roads & positions relative
to Snickersville, & feeling the enemy.
  From all I can learn they
have both Ashby's & Snicker
Gaps covered by troops & we
cannot get to the top of the
mountain to see the other side
for their signal informs them &
they meet us at every point--
   To see into the valley beyond
we shall probably have to go beyond
Ashby & doubtless there they have
a signal--It will be necessary
to leave some cavalry on this
line to cover the front--
      General Bayard may decide
to move on Snickersville
             Very respectfully
                 A. Pleasonton
                   Brig. General
                      Comdg

MSS 495