Berea Church

June 12th 1863

Genl. S. Williams,

Adjt. Genl., Army of Potomac

I have reached this point but I think from the orders requiring me to support Genl. Birney and Meade if called upon, it would be as well for me to take part at Hartwood Church, or that vicinity this evening. The distance to Bealton from Hartwood is 18 miles too long for proper support. [Remainder crossed out]: In fact permit me to say to the Genl. that as this is for a defensive force position, the force judging from my own Corps is entirely inadequate to sustain _____ a time. We are too much scattered [to support this time] to sustain so long a line[?] on a river which at its present stage presents so many opportunities to cross Infantry above the forks of the Rappidan.

Respy., &c.

John F. Reynolds,

Maj. Gen. Vols.

Comdg.

June 12, 1863

Genl. Reynolds

to

Genl. S. Williams