Of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U.S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps
Thoroughfare Gap, June 24, 1863.
General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff:
It is reported to me that General Stahel has arrived at Gainesville on his return.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HANCOCK'S HEADQUARTERS,
June 24, 1863.
General BUTTERFIELD:
An Irishman came into my lines this morning, who says he left Harrisonburg four days ago, taking the turnpike through Woodstock, Strasburg, and Front Royal, following down the railroad to this place. He says he saw no trains, and no troops excepting about 400 infantry crossing the Shenandoah near Front Royal. He heard from some acquaintance that Longstreet was about 10 miles from Markham Station, in the mountains. I will send him in the first opportunity.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
June 24, 1863.
Major-General STAHEL, Commanding Cavalry Division:
GENERAL: Can you, without interfering with your arrangements, leave 200 or 300 cavalry with General French at Gainesville, to watch the roads toward Warrenton and Greenwich?
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
Thoroughfare [Gap], June 24, 1863.
General ABERCROMBIE:
If you come up in person with one brigade, take command at Gainesville, with your brigade and French's division, sending to me the brigade from there, under General Zook, belonging to Caldwell's division, now here with me.
Your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding Corps.
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JUNE 24, 1863--5.30 p.m.
Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff:
There are ten days' rations on hand in this command from to-morrow morning.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK.
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JUNE 24, 1863.
General BUTTERFIELD:
The cavalry pickets beyond the Gap report the capture to-night by the rebels of a dispatch bearer some 3 miles out in the Loudoun Valley, with dispatches from General Hooker.
The information comes from negroes, and is given for what it is worth. I do not know what any messenger from General Hooker could be doing in that locality.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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THOROUGHFARE GAP,
June 25, 1863.
General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff:
The enemy have appeared in the direction of New Baltimore, with a force, estimated by observers who can be relied on, as from four regiments to 6,000 men, with one battery of artillery. They have driven in my cavalry, but nothing further as yet. Orders to march received, and in process of execution.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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JUNE 25, 1863.
Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff:
Received order for march. I suppose the train of cars will not come to Gainesville, which we were informed would be there to-day.
The firing of the pickets has ceased. Our cavalry were to-day driven in by (the commander says) two regiments of dismounted cavalry.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
June 26, 1863--11.45 p.m.
Major-General BUTTERFIELD:
GENERAL: My command is just going into camp about 1 mile from the river. My headquarters are near the residence of Mr. Vesey, about one-quarter of a mile to the right of the Poolesville road (going from here toward Poolesville), and 1 mile from the river My own train, and those of commands which preceded mine, have crossed the bridge. There are no trains the other side of Goose Creek, to my knowledge, excepting those of the Sixth Corps.
A brigade of cavalry is covering the roads leading to the bridges on the south side of Goose Creek. The Sixth Corps had not arrived at 11 o'clock.
I send a staff officer for any orders you may have for me.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding Corps.
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