| Headquarters First Army Corps |
| December 22, 1864 -- 9 p.m. |
| |
| Major-General C. W. Field |
| Commanding Division |
| |
| General Lee orders that our troops be at
Gordonsville before day; the transportation will be ready at
midnight. You will have Bratton's brigade in town by that time. Let
Bratton send a staff officer into town at once to notify the
railroad authorities {Virginia Central RR} of the time the brigade will be there. The
enemy were fighting McCausland's and Jackson's brigades of cavalry
twelve miles from Gordonsville this afternoon. General Corse will go
up to take command of Bratton's and Hunton's brigades when they
reach there. When General Bratton arrives he will communicate with
and co-operate with McCausland and Jackson. Should the enemy not
have crossed the Rapidan River General Lee wishes the troops to
march to Liberty Mills. Everything depends on your promptness in
getting Bratton off. |
| Respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| O. Latrobe |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |