ADVANCE OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
May 3, 1864.
General Grant was called to the command of all the armies of the United States on the 13th of March, 1864, at which time the Army of the Potomac, numbering over one hundred thousand men, was encamped on the north side of the Rapidan. General Lee, with an opposing Confederate army of nearly equal force, was posted in a series of earthworks on the southern bank of the upper Rapidan. His position was a very strong one, and the construction of his defences had called forth the skill of an able body of engineers, and was the product of several months’ labor.
During the months of March and April General Grant visited the several commanders in person of the various departments contiguous to Washington, and imparted to them his general plan of the campaign, giving each department commander written instructions to guide him in the part assigned to him in the eventful movements which were soon to take place. He also communicated by letter to the heads of each department throughout the country, giving such definite information and instructions to all, as their peculiar position and circumstances called for. His headquarters he declared to be with the Army of the Potomac in the field. General Meade was retained as commander of that army, and through him General Grant gave orders for its evolutions—General Meade exercising all the responsibilities which were common to chief commanders in the field.
General Butler, with about thirty thousand troops, was then in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, preparing to ascend the James, and cooperate with the Army of the Potomac, by a demonstration towards Richmond.
Major-General Meade was instructed that Lee’s army would be his objective point; that wherever Lee went he would go also. For his movement two plans presented themselves: One to cross the Rapidan below Lee, moving by his right flank; the other above, moving by his left. Each presented advantages over the other, with corresponding objections. By crossing above, Lee would be cut off from all chance of ignoring Richmond or going North on a raid. But if Meade took this route all he did would have to be done while the rations he started with held out; besides, it separated him from Butler, so that he could not be directed how to cooperate. If he took the other route, Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was secured on the York or James river. Of these, however, it was decided to take the lower route.
It was designed that all the armies throughout the country which were placed in antagonism with opposing rebel forces, should assume the offensive about the 1st of May.
The movement of the army of the Potomac commenced early on the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate direction and orders of Major-General Meade. Before night the whole army was across the Rapidan, (the Fifth and Sixth corps crossing at Germania Ford, and the Second in advance,) with the greater part of its trains, numbering about four thousand wagons, meeting with but slight opposition. The average distance travelled by the troops that day was about twelve miles. General Grant had anticipated a bold opposition from the rebels while crossing the river, and was much relieved when that result was obtained without opposition. Toward night there was severe skirmishing along the line and some loss was suffered on both sides. That night the army encamped along a line some seven or eight miles in extent. The Second corps occupied the old battle-ground at Chancellorsville. The Fifth, under General G. K. Warren, was at the Wilderness Tavern, and the Sixth, under General Sedgwick, at Germania Ford, where Generals Grant and Meade established their headquarters.
On Thursday morning, before the dawn of day, the Federal troops prepared to resume their march. They advanced in three columns, by roads leading to the south. General Warren was on the right, General Hancock occupied the centre, and General Sheridan with his cavalry covered the extreme left. The troops had not proceeded far before there were indications of the approach of the enemy from the west, advancing in great force, bearing on the centre of the Federal lines. The rattling and irregular fire of the skirmish line gave premonition of the approaching contest, which became serious at noon.