FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: A Daring Reconnoissance Made Across the Rappahannock; Another Crossing Made in the Face of the Enemy (6/8/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/8/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Saturday, June 6, 1863.

The boldest reconnoissance of the war was begun yesterday afternoon by a portion of this army. For the third time in six months, the Rappahannock has been successfully crossed by our brave men, with slight loss.

The position and designs of the enemy not being sufficiently apparent to the commanding General, a heavy reconnoissance in force was ordered to be made across the river yesterday, to determine where their chief force lay, or in what direction it was moving, if moving it was.

The indications for a day or two had been that the enemy were moving, but the smoky, dusty state of the atmosphere, and the absence of any offensive demon stations against any portion of our lines, left the direction of their march in much doubt. On Thursday a number of camps heretofore in sight suddenly disappeared, and Thursday night the line of pickets along the river was doubled.

Yesterday morning the Engineer brigade was ordered to proceed to the river, with a pontoon train sufficient for two bridges. HOWE's splendid lighting division of the Sixth corps was selected for the work of crossing, and the point for laying the bridges was just below the mouth of Deep Run, at the identical spot where we have crossed twice before.

Our infantry and artillery, as well as the engineers, began to debouch on the open plain opposite the crossing soon after noun, but, for some reason, active operations were not commenced until about five o'clock. During the afternoon the pickets of the enemy lounged on the opposite bank, apparently filled with astonishment at the preparations of this "demoralized and weakened" army, which were going on right under their noses. Save this picket of the enemy,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4159027/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From the Army of the Potomac: A Daring Reconnoissance Made Across the Rappahannock – 2-3
The Siege of Vicksburg: The Contents of Captured Dispatches from Pemberton – 3-4
Important from Kentucky: Departure of the Ninth Army Corps for Vicksburgh – 4
Important from Tennessee: A Band of Guerrillas at Liberty Broken Up – 4
From the Rebel States: Reported Movements of Our Forces in Virginia – 5-6
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 6-7
Editorial: War Powers – The Duties of the Executive and of the People – 7
Editorial: Railroads and the War – 7-8
The Crisis at Hand – 8
Rebel Movements – 8
General News – 8