Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Gettysburg - July 10th - Lee entrenching

To Major-General HOWARD, Commanding Eleventh Corps:
GENERAL: Captain Dilger, who has just returned from a reconnaissance, reports that the rebel infantry pickets are about 1 1\2 miles from my front, extending about 1 mile beyond our right, behind a stone wall; that their cavalry pickets are about 3 miles from our outpost line, to the right. On a farm, about 2 miles from here, I learned that from 70 to 100 rebels had been there this morning, and about 5 rebels this afternoon. The rebel pickets could be seen from that farm, and extended considerably beyond our right, in a northerly direction. The infantry pickets of the enemy are placed behind a stone wall, about 1 1\2 miles from our front, and the smoke of their camps can be seen behind. My pickets are about 1 mile in my front. General Kilpatrick is on our right with two brigades of cavalry. I have examined our position, and find that the wooded ridge in our rear is occupied by only one regiment and a battery, while the First Corps seems to occupy a front perpendicular upon the front of the Sixth Corps.

C. SCHURZ, Major-General.

Meade To Halleck, July 10, 1863—10 P. M.
The information received to-day indicates that the enemy occupy positions extending from the Potomac, near Falling Waters, through Downsville toFunkstown, and to the northeast of Hagerstown, Ewell's corps being to the northeast of Hagerstown, Longstreet at Funkstown, and A. P. Hill on their right. These positions they are said to be intrenching. I am advancing on a line perpendicular to the line from Hagerstown to Williamsport, and the army will this evening.occupy a position extending from the Boonsboro' and Hagerstown road at a point one mile beyond Beaver creek to Bakersville, near the Potomac. Our cavalry advanced this morning, drove in the enemy's cavalry on the Boonsboro' pike to within a mile of Funkstown, when the enemy displayed a large force, and opened a fire from heavy guns, (twenty-pounders). I shall advance cautiously on the same line to-morrow until I can develop more fully the enemy's force and position upon which my future operations will depend. General Smith is still at Waynesboro.' A despatch was received from him at that place this morning. Instructions similar to those of yesterday were sent to him.


Halleck To Meade, Washington, D. C., July 10, 1863.
I think it will be best for you to postpone a general battle till you can concentrate all your forces, and get up your reserves and reinforcements. I will push on the troops as fast as they arrive. It would be well to have staff officers at the Monocacy to direct the troops arriving where to go, and to see that they are properly fitted out. They should join you by forced marches. Beware of partial combats. Bring up and hurl upon the enemy all your forces, good and bad.

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