"Today we crossed the Rapidan"

Monday, June 15, 1863, near Ely's Ford

Today was a very long day. We were aroused early without a great deal of fanfare. We knew something was going to happen soon as last night we were instructed to cook three days worth of rations. Corporal Flynn came buy as were were cooking to inquire, as he has done so often these past several days, if our cartridge boxes were full. Some had gone hunting against regulations and the missing cartridges will be deducted from their pay, whenever we get paid again.

We kept up the illusion of presence right up to the very last minute before going on the march. False fires were still burning in camp as if we were still there. So long as this deception keeps the Yankees in place across the Rappahannock, it is worth any amount of firewood.

As we marched, we kept a keen eye out for mounted Yankee patrols but saw none. The only Yankees we saw all day were those few in picket duty across the river and as it was so early in the morning, only the light from their own fires allowed us to see their shadowy shapes. We are fairly certain that we shall see many more before too long. They might not want to see us.

Our route of march took us through the battlefields around Chancellorsville. As our regiment was detached from the brigade to guard wagons and prisoners, we did not recognize very much of what we saw. Let some other regiment be detailed to play at being nursemaid. The Twelfth is going to fight this time.

All day long we foot soldiers were speculating on the purpose of our march and the ultimate destination. We know that we are bearing in a generally north-east direction. If we are to flank Hooker and attack his right as happened at Chancellorsville, we are too far away for that. We might be making a very wide swing but that does not seem likely at this point. besides, Longstreet and Ewell having left camp almost two weeks after we did, they would have already come all the way around Hooker. Although we know from past experience that no amount of speculation does any good, we do it anyway as if we could not help ourselves. 

Today, we crossed the Rapidan and got wet by doing so. As always, we lost time while taking off our shoes and socks and placing our muskets and cartridges boxes in safety above our heads. We lost time on the other side as we put ourselves back together again. The more impatient of us strode across the ford without making any adjustments and then they found themselves walking in wet shoes and socks. They regretted it very much. During my time in the Mexican War, I do not recall fording a single waterway. I do not recall much in the way of water. We fill our canteens as often as the opportunity allows as it is becoming quite hot.

At the moment, we are all across Ely's Ford and camped out on the hills. Our super supper is all consumed. It was nothing more than hardtack and salt pork. I did have one small onion, which I shared with Vincent. At least the water was fresh. I wish Castles, Duncan, Lyles and the rest were here. They will be sorry that they missed this great maneuver. Perhaps they will come up with the people following us. Corporal Flynn has come by to advise us to get to sleep early as we will be leaving early tomorrow. Who can sleep at a time like this? 


I Send You These Few Lines


Well , it has started. What the it is has yet to be made clear but something has started and if it involves Lee's entire army, it has to be big. And if Lee has anything to say about it, the, "it", will be bold. Lee can do nothing else. 

Tooms and his pards can speculate all they want to about future events. Nothing will be revealed until the future becomes the present. 

Tooms laments his missing comrades. According to muster rolls at the National Archives, Company I, the Lancaster Hornets, 88 men were in the company. For an infantry company in the Army of Northern Virginia at that time in the war, that's a good number. The entire regiment, the 12th, went into the campaign with 390 men. Authorized strength would be 1,000. The entire brigade, Perrin's, should number 5,000. It really numbers 2,010.

However, of those 88 men, 29 were absent, either due to sickness or being detailed to other duties. Only 59 men were present for duty.

Tooms speculated that his missing comrades would come up with those others following behind. What he doesn't know is that the only people who could be coming up from behind would be wearing blue suits. 

In general terms, the route of march of Tooms and the Twelfth (sounds like a rock band) is the Orange Plank Road west from Fredericksburg, mostly VA State Route 3 today. At about Chancellorsville, they took Ely's Ford Road (Spotsylvania County 610), crossing the Rapidan River at the Spotsylvania/Culpeper County line.

Hill's corps was the last to be on the march. Of Hill's three division's, Pender's was the last to leave. That's where Tooms and the 12th are. They are the rear guard of Lee's army. Once Hooker finds out that Lee has stolen a march on him, he might follow along the same route. If he catches up, there will be a battle north of Richmond instead of a battle...where?