1862 October 31 Purcellville 5 P.M.

Hd. Qrs. Cav. Brigade
Purcellville, Oct 31, 5. P.M.
To General R.B. Marcy
     Chief of Staff---
My aid-de-camp, that was
sent to Gen. Bayard has
just reported he came upon
Stuarts cavalry, some two
thousand between Philomont
& Aldie. They fired on him
& compelled him to return to
Philomont--they came in
from Union--Did not see
any guns--It is said
Stuarts designs going to
Middleburg by the way of
Aldie--My Aid reports
considerable picket firing
about Aldie on the pike-
This is Bayards force--
they have met--I shall
not probably be able to
communicate with Bayard

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but will use every exertion
to push after Stuart if I
find out his direction in time--
    Some infantry ought
to move up & occupy this
place in case I leave--
Another Horse Battery would
be of service out there also
    This is I suspect a
move on the part of Stuart
to divert attention from
the movement of their
army which I think
is [?]
            Very respectfully
              A. Pleasonton-
               Brig. Genl


MSS 495