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Chapter 9 Artillery of the Third Corps Early in the month of June the command was ordered to march to Fredericksburg.The Artillery of the 3rd Corps was by that time thoroughly organized.Our Quartermaster,MajorWm.C.Scott,was a very efficient officer and the command was provided for in every respect except we lacked a supply of horse shoes.We had a small corps of couriers detailed from different batteries,who were intelligent men.A young man named J.W.League from Smithfield,one of the couriers,was used as a clerk in the Adjutant’s office. Charles H. Buskey, of Norfolk, was courier and also a Mr. Bragg, from Orange County. On our arrival at Fredericksburg, we found the Infantry of the 3rd Corps, R. H.Anderson ’s Division, H. Heth’s and C. M.Wilcox’s Divisions, confronting a force of General Hooker’s Federal Army, which had crossed the pontoon bridges to the south side of the river, and appeared to have the intention to attack.GeneralA.P.Hill’s field headquarters were on Howison ’s Hill.The Corps of General Longstreet and Ewell were at Culpepper Court House, about forty miles to the west. General Lee was about to invade the State of Pennsylvania.The main body of the Federal Army was near Falmouth, and General Hooker was trying to ascertain the intentions of General Lee.The former sent a large force of Cavalry to Brandy Station, accompanied by two Brigades of Infantry to reconnoiter.The result was a severe Cavalry battle which lasted all day,when the Federal forces retired.They discovered a part of the Confederate Infantry near Brandy Station.The force that was in front of General A. P. Hill then recrossed the river.The next day the 3rd Corps marched in the direction of Culpepper Court House. We passed by Chancellorsville where six weeks before had been fought that bloody battle. We saw the strong entrenchments which Hooker’s Army had 44 Chapter 9 thrown up just in the rear of that place.We crossed the Rapidan River at Ely’s Ford and reached Culpepper Court House early on the third day. Next day the Artillery marched to Sperryville, the Infantry took a shorter route by Gaine’s Cross Roads.We pursued the route via Front Royal and arrived at a place near Berryville where we remained in camp during the 21st and 22nd of June. I was engaged at that place in making the Field Report of the Artillery of the 3rd Corps.As well as I can remember,we had eighty odd guns and fifteen hundred men,with a full compliment of horses and wagons, besides the Ordnance Train under Captain L. Points, with Lieut. Henry Thorburn acting quartermaster . It was understood at that time that the Army of Northern Virginia consisted of three Corps of three divisions each, and the divisions had six thousand men for duty. General J. E. B. Stuart commanded the Cavalry, with its Horse Artillery.The Artillery of each Corps had eighty odd guns and about fifteen hundred men. On the 23rd of June we started on the march for Pennsylvania,bivouacked near Sheppardstown , crossed the Potomac River the next day, and marched to Hagerstown.There we found Longstreet’s Corps passing through that town.The night we spent at Sheppardstown I went with Col.Walker to the house of the Hon.Mr.Boteler and spent part of the evening.General Archer was there and Lieut. Lemon of his staff. Leaving Hagerstown next morning we took the eastern road byWaynesboro,camped at Fayetteville.On the march theArtillery accompanied General Pender ’s Division.We remained at Fayetteville several days and on the 30th started for Cashtown,passing through the Gap near which was located Thad. Stevens’ Furnace. We passed General R. E. Lee standing near the road in full uniform with sword belt, but no sword.To us young men he had the appearance of being in fighting humor. While we were marching towards Fayetteville,our Colonel dispatched Lieut.J.H. Chamberlayne and several enlisted men to get horses.They crossed the mountains to the east, but did not return; they were captured. As we were descending the mountain near Cashtown,there was a sudden halt of the column of wagons in front of us.That usually indicates that the enemy has been seen. It turned out to be Pettigrew’s Brigade which was returning from Gettysburg.Heth’s Division had crossed the mountain the...

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