Reports
Of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U.S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps
June 5, 1863.
General S. WILLIAMS:
The officer in charge of the pickets on the left of this corps reports that the enemy in front of his line below the city have withdrawn about one-half mile, and appear to have formed a new line.
The officer of the day of the corps reports that it appears that the enemy are massing their reserves in the city, as several squads have come down from their left within the last hour. They maintain their line of pickets along the river immediately in front of the town.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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June 5, 1863.
General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General:
About the close of the firing on the left, the enemy threw a regiment or two of infantry into the rifle-pits, first and second lines, about the mill opposite Falmouth. Two companies were behind the mill. They have three guns in the grove behind the rifle-pits. Some time before, a battery of artillery moved along the first range of hills to our right, and appeared to take post in those defenses commanding the fords by Falmouth. I suppose the arrangement was entirely a defensive one.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding.
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JUNE 14, 1863--6.30 p.m.
General SEDGWICK:
Signal officer at Phillips' house reports a considerable force of the enemy in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. Four or five regiments are camped along the river, from the Taylor house to the Goss house. Quite a force at the dam, and a force on the plain in rear of town. Five batteries just went over the heights from your crossing, and a number of guns are in position on the plain still. A regiment is now engaged apparently in establishing pickets along the river line from Fredericksburg to Falmouth.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
June 14, 1863---6.45 p.m.
General SEDGWICK:
Following just received from corps officer of the day:
6.30 P.M.
The troops are appearing in large force in the rear of Fredericksburg. I think they are returning.
6.45 P.M.
A white woman opposite the Lacey house tells our pickets that the rebels intend to cross at Banks' Ford.
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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SECOND CORPS,
June 14, 1863--8 p.m.
General BUTTERFIELD:
There are a good many. All reports agree in that. How many have moved up, I do not know, but a great many troops have been seen this afternoon moving out of the intrenchments at Fredericksburg to the right, and still a heavy force on the heights. I have no reports as to the number of batteries.
I have no doubt they are prepared for a [sic] returned this afternoon, and says Hill was over there with between 20,000 and 30,000 men, and had sixty pieces of artillery at Hamilton's Crossing yesterday.
Lee, with Longstreet and Ewell, with about 70,000 men, about Culpeper yesterday.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, Aquia, June 15, 1863--5.45 p.m.
(Copy received, War Department, 8.10 p.m.)
Maj. Gen. D. BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:
Everything is quiet up to this time. I will send your message, just received, to Warren, to hold his point till further orders. I have not heard from that point yet. I am waiting here for orders. The weather is so hot that I would prefer marching in the night, if a choice is permitted. My rations are out to-morrow by the issues. I expect rations at Dumfries.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
Aquia, [June--,] 6 p.m.
General SEDGWICK.
I have just sent a dispatch to General Butterfield, which you may open. I wait orders here to proceed, either from you or other authority. The stragglers are all driven up to this point, and I will drive them up as I go.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK.
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