HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 4, 1863, 1.20 P.M.
GEN. SEDGWICK, Commanding Sixth Corps.

I expect to advance to-morrow morning, which will be likely to relieve
you. You must not count on much assistance without I hear heavy firing.
Tell Gen. Benham to put down the other bridge if you desire it.

J. HOOKER, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS,
May 4, 1863, 1.40 P.M.
MAJOR-GEN. HOOKER.

I occupy the same position as yesterday when Gen. Warren left me. I
have no means of judging enemy's force about me--deserters say forty
thousand. I shall take a position near Banks's Ford, and near the Taylor
house, at the suggestion of Gen. Warren; officers have already gone to
select a position. It is believed that the heights of Fredericksburg are
occupied by two divisions of the enemy.

JOHN SEDGWICK, Major-General.

May 4, 1863. (Hour not stated.)
MAJOR-GEN. SEDGWICK, Banks's Ford, Va.

It is of vital importance that you should take a commanding position
near Fredericksburg, which you can hold to a certainty till to-morrow.
Please advise me what you can do in this respect. I enclose substance of
a communication sent last night. Its suggestions are highly important,
and meet my full approval. There are positions on your side commanded
by our batteries on the other side I think you could take and hold. The
general would recommend as one such position the ground on which Dr.
Taylor's is situated.

GEN. HOOKER (?)

May 4, 1863, 2.15 P.M.

GEN. HOOKER.

I shall do my utmost to hold a position on the right bank of the
Rappahannock until to-morrow.

JOHN SEDGWICK, Major-General.

BANKS'S FORD, VA.,
May 4, 1863, 11.50 P.M. (Received 1 A.M., May 5.)

GEN. HOOKER,

United-States Ford.

My army is hemmed in upon the slope, covered by the guns from the north
side of Banks's Ford. If I had only this army to care for, I would
withdraw it to-night. Do your operations require that I should jeopard
it by retaining it here? An immediate reply is indispensa