he suffered a repulse, what would be the
result? The river was swelling rapidly; the pontoons could even now with
difficulty be held together. If, haply, they were to be swept away, all
means of retreat would be cut off, and a repulse would amount to
annihilation. Sedgwick and the Sixth corps were driven back, and
Stoneman, who had gone with his cavalry toward Richmond, was not heard
from. In the midst of these doubts, he called a council of corps
commanders, who agreed, not unanimously, that it was advisable to
recross the river. So the army, on Wednesday, was withdrawn across the
river, when victory seemed ready to rest on our banners.[3] Without
doubt, had the general known of the panic created by the cavalry in the
rear, or had he been sure that his communications would remain intact,
the result would have been far different.

[3] The author makes no attempt to discuss the merits of the
controversy, which grew out of this battle, between two of the
best soldiers of our army. The reader will find, in the Report
on the Conduct of the War, 1865, all the facts and arguments on
both sides, by those most competent to give them--Generals
Hooker and Sedgwick.

The loss to the whole army, in this campaign, was over seventeen
thousand in killed and wounded.[4] Very many of these were left in the
hands of the enemy.

[4] The following statement exhibits the loss to the various
corps in killed, wounded and missing:

1st, 292
2d, 2,025
3d, 4,039
5th, 699
6th, 4,925
11th, 2,508
12th, 2,883
Cavalry, 145

CHAPTER XVIII.

SECOND ENCAMPMENT AT WHITE OAK CHURCH AND THE PENNSYLVANIA CAMPAIGN.

The army in its old position--A trip to Dixie--The wounded at
the hospitals--Introduction of army badges--Adornments of the
camps--The "Third crossing"--The Barnard mansion--Exchanging
papers--A broken lieutenant--The Pennsylvania campaign
commenced--Restriction of baggage--A severe march--An army
bathing--At Centreville--Bristow Station--March to
Maryland--General Hooker succeeded by General Meade--Position of
the army.

The army now turned back to its old position, encamping in line nearly
as before, only all the troops which had encamped on our left, between
the Sixth corps and Belle Plain, were placed far to the right, leaving
the Sixth corps on the left of the army, instead