HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
MORRISVILLE, VA., April 28, 1863.
Commanding Officer Cavalry Corps.
I am directed by the major-general commanding to inform you that the
instructions communicated for your government on the 12th instant, are
so far modified as to require you to cross the Rappahannock at such
points as you may determine between Kelly's and Rappahannock Fords, and
for a portion of your force to move in the direction of Raccoon Ford
and Louisa Court House, while the remainder is engaged carrying into
execution that part of your original instructions, which relates to the
enemy's forces and positions on the line of the Alexandria and Orange
Railroad, and the line itself; the operations of this column to be
considered as masking the column which is directed to move, by forced
marches, to strike and destroy the line of the Aquia and Richmond
Railroad.
You are further directed to determine on some point for the columns to
unite; and it is recommended that it be on the Pamunkey, or near that
line, as you will then be in position with your full force to cut off
the retreat of the enemy by his shortest line. In all other respects
your instructions, as before referred to, will remain the same.
You will direct all your force to cross to-night, or, if that shall not
be practicable, to be brought to the river, and have it all thrown over
before eight o'clock to-morrow morning. If the fords should be too
deep for your pack-animals and artillery, they will be crossed over the
bridge at Kelly's Ford.
You will please furnish the officers in command of these two columns
with a copy of this, and of your original instructions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. L. CANDLER,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
These two orders would appear to be specific enough. The first is not
modified by the second to any great extent; and the primary object
of both is unmistakably to interrupt, by a bold stroke, Lee's main
communications with Richmond by the Fredericksburg and Richmond
Railroad.
The point on which the two columns, spoken of in the order of April 28,
were to unite, was suggested as somewhere on the Pamunkey; and the one
column was to go at once about its work, while the other masked its
march, and after joined it.
Under these orders, Stoneman proceeded to get the corps together,--the
distance of many outlying pickets delaying him almost a day,--and
finally crossed the Rappahannock by five P.M. of the 29th, a portion of
his troops using Kelly's Ford, in connection with Slocum's column.
He then assembled his division and brigade commanders, spread his maps
before them, and made them acquainted with his orders and plans.
Averell, with his own division, Davis's brigade of Pleasonton's
division, and Tidball's battery, was instructed to push for Culpeper
Court House; while Stoneman, with Gregg's division, Buford's reserve
brigade, and Robertson's battery, moved on Stevensburg.
It was expected that Averell would reach Brandy Station the same night
(29th), driving before him the enemy, who was in very small force in
his front. And when Stoneman got well on his way, he despatched Capt.
Drummond, with a squadron, from beyond Rocky Run, by crossroads, to
Brandy Station, to bring intelligence of Averell's movements. The latter
had, however, not reached that place. And, learning later in the evening
that he had leisurely gone into camp, close by the place where the
forces had crossed, Stoneman sent him word that he must turn the enemy
in his front over to him, while himself pushed on towards Richmond.