Confidential Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac

April 30th 1863

Major Genl. Sedgwick,

Comdg. Left Wing, Army of the Potomac

General,

I am directed by the Major General Commanding to inform you that his Head Quarters will be at Chancellorville[sic] tonight. It is proposed that the army now at that point will assume the initiative tomorrow evening, and will advance along the line of the plank road, uncovering what is called Banks’ Ford, where bridges will be at once thrown across the river, which route will then become the shortest line of communication between the two wings of the Army. Major Genl. Butterfield will remain at the present Head Quarters, and will at once transmit to the Major General Commanding any communication you may desire to send him. It is not known of course what effect the advance will have upon the enemy; and the General Commanding directs that you observe his movements with the utmost vigilance; and, should he expose a weak point, attack him in full force and destroy him. If he should show any symptoms of falling back, the General directs that you throw your whole force on to the Bowling Green Road, and pursue him with the utmost vigor, turning his forfeited positions by the numerous bye roads, which you can make use of for that purpose. If any portion of his organized forces should pass off to the east of the Railroad, you will by detachments pursue until you destroy or capture him. Simultaneous with the advance of your column on the Bowling Green Road, 4 at all, a column will also advance on the Telegraph Road; and between you will sweep the country between the two highways and the Railroad. You will be within easy communicating distance, and both columns will spring to one another’s’ assistance, in case of encountering any considerable resistance, which can best be judged of by the magnitude of the fire. Keep your provisions and ammunition and forages replenished, leaving as much of your train to be brought afterwards as practicable. Trains will only embarrass and check your forward movement and must not accompany you, unless it be the pack[?] train.

It may be expedient for you to join the Right Wing on the south bank of the river, and, under cover of it, to Fredericksburg. Be observant of your opportunities, and when you strike, let it be done to destroy. When you move forward, if you want all your artillery, the batteries of the Reserve here can be called for.

The enemy have at Hamilton’s a pontoon train. The General expects that you will not permit them to cross the river.

You will find an able commander in Major General Reynolds.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) Daniel Butterfield

Major General, Chief of Staff

Head Quarters, 6th Corps,

April 30th 1863

Official[?] M.T. M’Mahon

Asst. Adjt. Genl.