ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: DETAILS OF THE LATE RECONNOISSANCE; A Portion of the Second Corps Cross the Rapidan at Morton’s Ford (2/9/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 2/9/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. 8.

E.A. PAUL sends to this Bureau the following:

ON THE RAPIDIAN, Saturday Evening, Feb. 6.

A cavalry force supported by infantry, moved forward this morning to reconnoitre the enemy's position.

Gen. KILPATRICK, with two brigades, commanded respectively, First Brigade by Brig.-Gen. DAVIES and Second Brigade, (Brig.-Gen. Custer's.) by Colonel Sawter, First Vermont Cavalry and Lieut. KELLY'S (late RANSOM'S) light battery moved from the vicinity of Stevensburgh to a fording place on the Rapidan, about two miles below Germania Mills, called Culpepper Ford.

At about midday the command crossed the river without opposition, the only force on fluty 1 there being six of HAMPTON'S troopers, two of whom were captured. Gen. Kilpatrick passed up the river to the Germanna and Fredericksburgh Plank-road. Upon reaching the Orange Court-house Pike, moved up toward Robertson's Tavern, or Locust Grove, where he is now encamped for the night.

At about the same hour this morning the Second Corps, under command of Maj.-Gen. WARREN, Moved forward to Morton's ford and vicinity. At this point one brigade of Gen. Hates' division crossed and succeeded in capturing thirty-eight of the enemy's infantry pickets at this point. The enemy opened with artillery upon portions of this corps, but without doing much harm, the troops on the right bank being under the bluffs, which are quite high, and the balance of the force was well covered. During the day portions of the Third and Sixth Corps were advanced to within supporting distance.

The First Division of Cavalry, under Gen. MERRITT, at about the same time moved forward on the upper Rapidan, meeting with only slight resistance. This command was supported by troops from the First Corps. The rebel infantry pickets at MORTON'S ford seemed rather pleased than otherwise at the idea of being captured.

[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.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Army of the Potomac: Details of the Late Reconnoissance – 2
The War in Tennessee: Interesting from Chattanooga – 2-3
From California – 3
Destruction of a Copperhead Newspaper Office by Soldiers – 3
George Thompson, the anti-Slavery Orator – 3
From Washington: The Correspondence on the Exchange of Prisoners – 3
Important from the South: A Heavy Force of Union Troops Advancing upon Richmond – 3-4
The War in the Southwest: Desperate Condition of the Rebels – 4
The Late Attack on Newbern: How the Gunboat Underwriter was Destroyed – 4-5
The Fine Weather – Winter Campaigning – 5
The Homeless Children of Our Soldiers – 5
Affairs in Western Virginia – 5
Suicide of an Alleged Criminal – 5
Railroad Accident – 5