| Hanover Junction |
| May 14, 1863 -- 1 p.m. |
|
|
| Major-General Elzey |
| Commanding, Richmond |
| |
| General, |
| Tuesday night I sent a company of
cavalry out, with instructions to go as near West Point
as they could and find out what was going on there. I received a
report dated 12 m. yesterday, "King
William
County, 4 miles outside of the enemy's pickets." From what they
heard, the enemy had landed on Thursday last some 3,000 infantry, a
regiment of cavalry, and some light artillery. They were fortifying
across the Peninsula, a mile or so from the Point. It was thought that the post was
intended as a refuge for stealing parties, runaway slaves, &c.,
but I fear they will give us more trouble than that, for they can
march up in force, threaten the railroad north of North Anna {30+
miles from West Point},
perhaps attack it, or cross suddenly at Hanover Court-House, do the
same on the south side, and return by the White House. As for
finding out the strength of any such party, my experience of the
cavalry and citizens during the last raid has convinced me it is
impossible. As Richmond
is so much nearer the White House and West Point
you have much better means of obtaining intelligence than I have,
and I think ought to be able to give me such information as may be
necessary. It seems to me that this triangle between the railroad
and the North and South Anna Rivers should be fortified. Had I the
tools I could do it myself, but I might be ordered away in the
midst, and it would be a great deal better to send an engineer from
Richmond, who could continue until the work was done. Works would be
required on the North Anna at the crossing of the Telegraph road,
the Fredericksburg {Richmond, Fredericksburg
& Potomac} Railroad, Morris' Bridge, and Bear Island Ford;
on the South Anna, at the crossing of the {Virginia}
Central Railroad, of the
Fredericksburg Railroad, and the Telegraph road; at the two
crossings on Little River, and perhaps at the Junction.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| J. J. Pettigrew
|
| Brigadier-General
|
|