Headquarters Army Of Potomac
November 27, '63
Here we are, camped south of the Rapid Ann, and I find a leisure
moment to write you a letter, or rather to begin one. My last formal note, I
believe, informed you we were to move “to-morrow” (26th). And, sure enough,
yesterday we kept our Thanksgiving by marching, horse, foot, and artillery, as
hard as we could paddle towards Germanna Ford.
The above rough map, with the other I sent when I wrote At
Centreville, will sufficiently explain our moves. From Rapid Ann Station to
Morton's Ford, the Rebels have a strong line of entrenchments, but, beyond
that, it is practicable to force a crossing, because the north bank commands
the south. Our forces were encamped in a sort of semi-circle, of which one end
rested on Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock, and the other (at the north) on a
tributary of the same river; the centre being about at Brandy Station. . . .
The artillery officers had placed two masked batteries, ready to open on the
south bank. On the other side of the river there were extensive breastworks,
which, however, seemed not occupied. Nevertheless, we could not tell that the
woods were not full of them. As the main resistance might be offered here, it
was necessary that all the corps should force the passage at the same time, if
possible. It so happened that General French was much delayed by heavy roads
and other causes, so we had to wait till past twelve before throwing the
pontoons. When this was done, there was no opposition whatsoever; but the
engineers were stupid enough not to have enough boats, and this made more
delay. However, about two p.m. the troops and artillery began to cross, one
division having already forded. The solemn and punctual Sykes crossed below, at
twelve. But the 3d and 6th, being very large, did not all get over till night,
and their artillery, by reason of bad roads, had to come over by Germanna
Bridge, and was not over till five the next morning. We (Headquarters) camped
on the north bank of the river near the reserve artillery. It was a magnificent
night, but cold. The trains came in after dark, and we had quite a time in
finding tents and bedding. Everything is comparative: when I got my tent
pitched, my roll of bedding in position, and a little end of a candle lighted,
I felt as comfortable as if I came home to a nicely furnished house, with a
good fire burning and the tea-table just set! I was up this morning a good deal
before daylight. The moon shone very bright and the hoar frost glittered on the
tents. . . . At an early hour the Staff
crossed, passing on the steep bank crowds of ambulances and waggons, which of
course made the General very mad. . . .
Do you know the scrub oak woods above Hammond's Pond, a sort of growth that is
hard for even a single man to force his way through for any great distance?
That is the growth of most of this country, minus the stones, and plus a great
many "runs" and clay holes, where, in bad weather, vehicles sink to
their axles. Along this region there are only two or three roads that can be
counted on. These are the turnpike, the plank road south of it, and the plank
road that runs from Germanna Ford. There are many narrow roads, winding and
little known, that in good weather may serve for the slow passage of columns
(though they are mere farmers' or woodcutters' thoroughfares); but a day's rain
will render them impassable for waggons and artillery. This whole region (which
includes the field of Chancellorsville, a little to the east) is known as the
"Wilderness." Over much of it there is no chance to deploy troops,
scarcely skirmishers, and no place for artillery. . . .
Somewhere about 10.30 we got to the turnpike and halted, say
a mile before Robertson's Tavern; where the 2d Corps had arrived and found the
enemy in front; about eleven they had heavy skirmishing and drove the enemy
back, getting also a few prisoners. They then formed line of battle and waited
news from French on the right, and Sykes on the left, coming on the plank road.
The day was raw and we stood near the road, over some fires we had built,
waiting for news of French, to form a junction and attack at once; for Warren
alone formed a weak centre and could not risk an engagement. Officer after
officer was despatched to him, piloted by niggers who said they knew the
country. The indefatigable Ludlow went in the opposite direction, and reported
Sykes coming along all right. . . . At 12.30 we heard cannon on our extreme
right, which seemed to announce French; still no authentic news, and the
precious minutes fled rapidly. At last, late in the afternoon, came authentic
despatches that General French's advance had had a heavy fight with the Rebels,
in force, and had driven them from the field; but had thus been greatly
delayed, and besides had found no roads, or bad roads, and could not effect a
junction that evening. And so there was Sedgwick's Corps jammed up in the woods
behind, and kept back also! So we pitched camp and waited for morning.
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 51-4
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