Wednesday, May 4. — Started at about 7 o’clock for Brandy Station. Halted there in the sun for four or five hours. At 4.45 P.M. we started for Germanna Ford. Saw Colonel Marshall just before I left. The regiment marched and marched, but as it was separated, the latter half did not reach the ford until next morning, having marched 27 miles, 6 miles out of our way. We went into camp at 2 A.M. with about fifty men, constituting all that was left out of four companies. Other regiments were just as bad. Weather pleasant. March the hardest I have ever been on. Saw Colonel Macy to-day and lent him my horse to ride ahead.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
4th. Got off before 4 o’clock. Came up with one div. of infantry at Bealeton Station. Beautiful morning. Went on to Brandy Station, unsaddled and got dinner and finally remained overnight. Drew hay and picked up some oats. Fight at Chancellorsville. Did some business.
May 4—This morning we got orders to be ready at a moment’s notice. Broke camp at noon, marched to our old breastworks at Mine Run, seven miles from camp. Rested two hours, and moved forward toward the river three miles further and halted.
May 4, Wednesday. Our forces are gathering in considerable strength at Hampton Roads. Besides the naval vessels there are in the Roads over two hundred army transports. Whether the movement is to be up James River exclusively or a portion up the York and Pamunkey is not known.
At 10 P. M., May 3, 1864, the Second corps broke camp and preceded by Gregg’s division of cavalry and followed by the artillery of the corps, crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s ford and marched easterly over the familiar route to Chancellorsville, arriving there about 10 A. M. the next morning, Warren and Sedgwick, the Fifth and Sixth corps, crossed at the Germania ford, some six or seven miles above, and formed the right wing of the army, while our corps formed the left. Burnside’s corps is at Warrenton with orders to hold the Bull Run line of communication until we are successfully established on the southern side of the Rapidan. Lee’s army is entrenched on the southern side of the Rapidan, some ten or twelve miles above the Germania ford, and Grant’s object is to cross below and turn his right flank.
The movements were promptly executed during the night and were completely successful. Warren and Sedgwick’s corps marched out to the Wilderness tavern, while we remained all day at Chancellorsville.
