To Milroys Troops from Col LB Pierce June 26 1863

              Head Quarters, Department of the Susquehanna, June 26, 1863. 
  Special Orders, No. 16.  Col. L. B. Pierce, 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, will relieve Major Gen. Milroy, and assume command of the troops at Bloody Run and vicinity.  By command of Major Gen. D.N. Couch, 
COL. L. B. PIERCE,12th  Penna. Cav.      JOHN S. SHULTZ, A. A. G. 
 
Head Quarters, Bloody Run, June 26, 1863. 
  Fellow Officers and Soldiers!---In obedience to the above order I assume the command of the forces now here.  I am aware that you in having your General taken from you, have met with an irreparable loss.  That loss no one feels or regrets more than myself.  As he remarks in his parting address, we all hope that the separation will not be final.  In assuming command of you at this time, I do it with great delicacy, rendered more so by the confused condition in which we are at present placed.  But in the management of affairs here, all that can be done for your comfort and convenience, it shall be my pleasure to perform.  We shall all for a short time be subject to some inconveniences, but we must bear it, recollecting that it is the lot of the soldier to endure hardships.  Should we come in contact soon again with the invaders of this State, I only ask you to give me that support which in times past you have given to your favorite chief, now absent from you.  I feel assured you will maintain that reputation for undaunted courage and bravery which you  by your conduct heretofore have so nobly won.  Let discipline be restored, order prevail, and the same strong arms and stout hearts will amply avenge the death of our fallen brothers in arms, and wipe out even the memory of our recent reverses.  Truly yours, 
 
                        L. B. PIERCE, 
                           COL. COMMANDING. 
 
(On reverse side in pencil.)  
Col. L. B. Pierce 
adress on 
assuming com. 
after my oust 
by the scounderal 
Halleck.