[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav: Division
Cowin's Cross roads, Nov 9. 11.30 a.m
To Major General Parke
chief of Staff
General--
as some indication
of the forces at Culpepper, I will
mention I have prisoners from
the following rebel regiments viz
4th Virginia cavalry
8th " "
1st Georgia "
28th Virginia Infantry
18th " "
8th Louisiana "
5th Texas
Gen George Pickett has three
brigades, two miles this side
of Culpepper--Hewills[sic] division
is also there & Cobb's Legion
I have parties out, of
which it will not do to
mention--getting information
[page 2]
I have also three squadrons
out in detachments on the
same service.
I wish the General
could send me two or three
suits of ordinary citizens
clothing about Army size
No. 4. I can use them to
great advantage--also
some secret service money
at times can be useful--
This should be gold, as our
money is not acceptable, but
suspicious--
My impressions at this
time are that Hill A.P. is at
Front Royal, & Jackson behind
Thornton's Gap That Hill
if he gets a chance will break
thro' Chester Gap pass Barbees
& push towards Salem &
[page 3]
towards Gainsville--which
Jackson will pass down
to Culpepper by Woodville
when we move on that place--
At this time, I think our
infantry force of several
brigades should hold Bar=
bees Crossroads, it is a most
important point--covering
Salem, Markham, Piedmont,
& Warrenton & Orleans & cavalry
cannot hold it against infantry-
then, if the General will per=
mit me to suggest a bold
movement of two or three
corps thrown rapidly on the
road between Thornton's Gap
& Culpepper, by the way of Jefferson
Thompsonville, & Newby's Crossroads
would cut Jackson off
[page 4]
& attack Culpepper with
great advantage, in
connection with any other
operations contemplated--
The enemy are I think
some shat disconcerted just
now, & rapid movements
may prove of more value
than hard fighting hereafter--
An express has just come
in from my squadrons on the
road to Culpepper--reporting
Stuart-with some guns &
a considerable force of
cavalry at that point--he
had attacked them & was
driving them back--this
was six miles from here &
nine from Culpepper--
I have sent out reinforce=
ments to my squadrons--
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig. Genl.
MSS 945
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.