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General commanding directs that you keep your command in position for a rapid movement down the old Richmond road,and you will send out at once a division at least, to pass below
Smithfield, to seize, if possible, the heights near
Captain Hamilton's, on this side of the
Massaponax, taking care to keep it well supported and its. line of retreat open.
He has ordered another column, of a division or more, to be moved from
General Sumner's command up the plank road to its intersection with the telegraph road, where they will divide, with a view to seizing the heights on both of those roads.
Holding those two heights, with the heights near
Captain Hamilton's, will, he hopes, compel the enemy to evacuate the whole ridge between these points.
I make these moves by columns, distant from each other, with a view of avoiding the possibility of a collision of our own forces, which might occur in a general movement during the fog. Two of
General Hancock's divisions are in your rear, at the bridges, and will remain there as supports.
Copies of instructions given to
Generals Sumner and
Hooker will be forwarded to you by an orderly, very soon.
You will keep your whole command in readiness to move at once, as soon as the fog lifts.
The watchword, which, if possible, should be given to every company, will be “
Scott.”
I have the honor to be, General,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Headquartes, Army of the Potomac, December 13, 1862--6 A. M.
Major-General E. V. Sumner, commanding Right Grand Division, Army of the Potomac:
The General commanding directs that you extend the left of your command to
Deep River, connecting with
General Franklin, extending your right as far as your judgment may dictate.
He also directs that you push a column of a division or more along the plank and telegraph roads, with a view to seizing the heights in the rear of the town.
The latter movement should be well covered by skirmishers, and supported so as to keep its line of retreat open.
Copy of instructions given to
General Franklin will be sent to you very soon; you will please await them at your present headquarters, where he (the
General commanding) will meet you. Great care should be taken to prevent a collision of our own forces during the fog. The watchword for the day will be “
Scott.”
The column for a movement up the telegraph and plank roads will be got in readiness to move, but will not move until the
General commanding communicates with you.
I have the honor to be,
General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
headquarters, Army of the Potomac, December 13, 1862--7 A. M.
Major-General Joseph Hooker, commanding Center Division, Army of the Potomac:
The General commanding directs that you place
General Butterfield's corps and
Whipple's division in position to cross at a moment's notice at the three upper bridges, in support of the other troops over the river; and the two remaining divisions of
General Stoneman's corps in readiness to cross at the lower ford in support of
General Franklin.
The General commanding will meet you at headquarters (Phillip's House) very soon.
Copies of instructions to
General Sumner and
General Franklin will be sent to you.
I have the honor to be,
General, very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
It should be mentioned, that on the evening of the twelfth I ordered
General Stoneman, with two divisions of his corps, to a point near the lower bridges, as supports for
General Franklin.
The forces now under the command of
General Franklin consisted of about sixty thousand men, as shown by the morning reports, and was composed as follows:
| Sixth corps | 24,000 men. |
| First corps | 18,500 men. |
| Third corps--two divisions | 10,000 men. |
| Ninth corps--Burns' division | 4,000 men. |
| Bayard's cavalry | 3,500 men. |
General Sumner had about twenty-seven thou sand men, comprising his own grand division except
Burns' division of the Ninth corps.
General Hooker's command was about twenty six thousand strong, two of
General Stoneman's divisions having reported to
General Franklin.
Positive information had reached me that the enemy had built a new road in rear of the bridge or crest from near
Hamilton's to the telegraph road, along which road they communicated from one part of their line to another.
I decided, if possible, to seize a point on this road near
Hamilton's which would not only divide the enemy's forces by breaking their line, but would place our forces in position to enable us to move in rear of the crest, and either force its evacuation or the capitulation of the forces occupying it.
It was my intention, in case this point had been gained, to push
Generals Sumner and
Hooker against the left of the crest, and prevent at least the removal of the artillery of the enemy, in case they attempted a retreat.
The above orders were prepared in accordance with these views.
It will be seen that
General Franklin was directed to seize, if possible, the heights near
Captain Hamilton's, and to send at once a column of attack for that purpose, composed of
