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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