February 27, 1864 (Sunday): Preparing for a Raid

General A. A. Humphreys

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 27, 1864. - 2 p. m. (Received 2. 20 p. m.)
Major-General FRENCH,
Commanding Third Corps:
    The major-general commanding directs that Major-General Birney move with his division early to-morrow morning, the 28th instant, and take position that evening in the vicinity of James City. he will communicate with Major-General Sedgwick, commanding Sixth Corps,which is ordered to take post at Madison Court-House on the evening of the 28th instant, and will co-operate with and support that corps, upon being required to do so by its commanding general. General Sedgwick may find it necessary to move forward from Madison Court-House to cover the operations of a cavalry force in the direction of Charlottesville, in which case he will communicate with General Birney and require him to move toward, or to, or beyond Madison Court-House. A signal officer will be posted by General Sedgwick upon Throughfare Mountain, through whom he will communicate with these headquarters by signal from Madison Court-House. Should the signal officer require additional protection, General Birney will furnish it. He will communicate everything, of importance that occurs to these headquarters through the usual channel, using both signal and courier. Upon being notified by General Sedgwick that the objects of the expedition have been accomplished, General Birney, will return to his present camp. The usual picket-line will be maintained during the absence of this division. Birney for his guidance.


      A. A. HUMPHREYS.
     Major-General and Chief of Staff.

Official Records, Series I.,Vol. 33, Part 1, Page 605.

The Union cavalry was increasingly able to assert itself as the war progressed. Here the infantry in Northern Virginia is preparing to support a raid.  Humphreys was an interesting character, being described as having a brilliant gift for profanity.