Friday, June 20, 2014

Major-General Daniel A. Butterfield to Major-General John Sedgwick, July 1, 1863 – 7:30 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS,
Taneytown, July 1, 1863 7.30 p.m.
Major-General SEDGWICK:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that a general battle seems to be impending to-morrow at Gettysburg; that it is of the utmost importance that your command should be up. He directs that you stop all trains that impede your progress, or turn them out of the road. Your march will have to be a forced one to reach the scene of action, where we shall probably be largely outnumbered without your presence.

If any shorter road presents itself, without difficulty in getting up, you will use your discretion in taking it, and report the facts to these headquarters.

General Sykes has been ordered up from Hanover to Gettysburg, and General Slocum from Littlestown; General Hancock's corps from here. The whole army are there (Gettysburg), or under way for that point.

The general desires you to report here in person, without delay, the moment you receive this. He is waiting to see you here before going to the front.

I am, very respectfully,
 DANL. BUTTERFIELD,
Major-General, Chief of Staff.

[P. S.] – The trains will all go to Westminster and Union Bridge, as ordered.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 40; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 3 (Serial No. 45), p. 467-8

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