Head Qrs 4^th Brig 1^st Div                               

Dept of Susq^h                                                        

Hagerstown Md July 18.1863

 

Lieut. C. P. Muhlenberg

AAAGen^l 1^st Div

                                   

Sir

         I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of two orders from Gen^l W. F. Smith, dated 17^th inst. one of which directs that the batteries of Capt Landis & Miller report at Greencastle, and the other that I shall use my force in guarding the Potomac from Falling Waters to Williamsport. In obedience to the 1^st order I directed Capt. Miller & Landis to report immediately at Greencastle. In regard to the 2^nd order I have to say that although the order itself is clear & positive enough, & would ordinarily be sufficient for my guidance and direction, yet I am from various causes in great uncertainty as to whether the desire expressed in the order is not already accomplished, and as to whether Gen^l Smith with a full statement of the position of affairs laid before him, would order my Command to be removed from this place.

 

In the 1^st place I desire to recall the order of Gen^l Smith appointing me Military Governor of this town. In pursuance of this order I have assumed the functions pertaining to the office have appointed a Prov. Marshall and detailed a large portion of one Reg^t for Provost duty. There are two hospitals here—the Washington House, in which are the Union wounded, and the Court House in which are the Rebel wounded. Also quite a number of prisoners are continually being found—principally sick and wounded—those unable to be forwarded to Harrisburg being placed in hospital. These hospitals draw rations from my Command. The Prov. Guard is kept continually employed in the discharge of its proper duties about the town, viz the searching of suspected homes for arms &c the examination of suspicious persons & the discovery of new prisoners, as well as the / needful guarding & patrolling of the streets. The duties incumbent in me arising in the discharge of my functions as Military Governor are therefore necessarily numerous, in addition to those devolved upon me as Commdr of this Brig. If my Command is to be removed provision ought to be made for supplying the vacancy resulting here.

 

            Yesterday (17^th) I rec^d from Gen^l Meade the dispatch herewith forwarded & marked "A" Col. Franklin with six Regts numbering some 4600 men was encamped between this place & Williamsport about 1½ miles from here. I immediately transmitted him a copy of Gen. Meade's dispatch stating that he I had heard that he already occupied Williamsport with one Reg^t and asked him for information—offering at the same time to furnish him with ambulance, required for the conveyance of the wounded to this place. I have learned from Col. F. that he has one Reg^t in Williamsport. Col. Wynkoop's Cavalry force I know has orders from you.

 

            In addition Col M^cReynolds in Command of Gen. Milroys late division, was instructed to report to Gen. Couch or the Commander of forces at Hagerstown. I forward you his communications to me marked respectively "B" & "C" and also his morning report of the 17^th marked "D".

 

            This morning I rec^d another dispatch from Gen. Meade addressed on the envelope to Gen W F Smith, or the Commdr of forces at Hagerstown. This dispatch I enclose you & is marked "E".

 

            I may add that Col. Frick has 2 Reg^ts here. He has not reported to me with his Command although he has furnished me with statement of the amount of his force for the purpose of drawing rations. In addition to all the foregoing I beg / leave to enclose you a dispatch from Gen. Curtin rec^d by me yesterday marked "F". In accordance with his request the dispatch was read to the several Regts comprising my Command on yesterday. You can imagine what the effect of this dispatch must be upon men such as compose these Regts & whose anxiety to return home is greatly increased after hearing this dispatch & its statement that their further services are no longer necessary. I am constrained to say that the new disposition of forces indicated in the orders afterward rec^d & hereinbefore referenced to, have excited unpleasant feelings among the men & occasions many unfounded & absurd rumors to circulate among them—such as that the Gov^t intends to hold them notwithstanding the emergency is over.

 

            I trust that I may be allowed to express the hope that our orders may be so positive & our position so clearly ascertained as to remove all doubts & uncertainty from my men, and enable me to proceed understandingly amid all these conflicting orders, reports & messages, dispatches &c which I receive. There is quite a large force in this vicinity composed of Franklins Fricks & my Command. Col. Franklin says he receives orders from Gen^l Smith of the 1^st Div. while he is himself in the 2^nd Divⁿ. I do not know what Frick is assigned to but he has 2 Regts. I can send 2 Regts to the Potomac & leave the Grey Reserve here for Prov. duty. While I feel that candor compels me to say that the men loudly express dissatisfaction with these new orders—after these new orders—after the Governors dispatch I can say however that we will obey orders.

                                                                       

Very Resp—

Your obtServt

W Brisbane

Col Com 4^th Brig 1^st Div D of Sus

Military Governor

Hagerstown Md /

 

P.S. If Col. Frick is not to report to me I would suggest that he provide subsistence for his Command without drawing upon me for rations. If it is intended that he be under my Command then he ought to report to me—

                                                           

Respy

W. Brisbane

[overleaf]

 

Head Quarters

4^th Brig. 1^st Div

July 18, 1863

 

Communication to

C. P. Muhlenberg

Chf Arty

SOURCES