J. H. Van Alen,
Brigadier-General and Aide-de-Camp.

Headquartersarmy 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.

Headquarterssixth 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.

JohnSedgwick, 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.

JohnSedgwick, Major-General.

Banks’sford, 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 indispensable, or I may feel obliged to withdraw.

JohnSedgwick, Major-General.

Banks’sford, Va.,
May 5, 1863. (Received 1 A.M.)
Gen.  Hooker.

I shall hold my position as ordered on south of Rappahannock.

Sedgwick.

Headquarters,
May 5, 1863, 1 A.M. (Received 2 A.M.)
Gen.  Sedgwick.

Despatch this moment received.  Withdraw.  Cover the river, and prevent any force crossing.  Acknowledge this.