s. At length,
having suffered these disagreeable exposures for a week, the men of the
corps fell to work to erect comfortable quarters, and thinking that the
present camp might possibly become winter quarters, they made for
themselves much more comfortable huts than had served them in their
winter's camp at White Oak Church. Generals Neill and Grant reviewed
their brigades, and then Generals Howe and Wright reviewed their
divisions, and last of all, General Sedgwick had a grand review of the
whole corps, which was a very splendid affair.

The weather became again mild and agreeable. Pontoons were arriving and
there were many indications that we must soon leave our comfortable
quarters. At length, at ten o'clock at night, November 6th, came the
order, "Reveille at half-past four; move at daylight." So good-bye, fine
quarters and comfortable fire-places, we must be off.

We were in line and commenced moving from camp at daylight, November
7th. We marched rapidly, taking the road to Rappahannock Station. The
Sixth and Fifth corps only had taken this road, the remaining corps
were, however, either on the move or under orders to move, the Third
corps having taken the road to Ely's Ford, and the others following.
General Sedgwick was placed in command of the Fifth and Sixth corps,
while General Meade accompanied the left wing.

At noon we halted within a mile of the Station, and the corps was
immediately thrown into line of battle. The men were allowed to rest on
their arms for an hour or two, wondering what was to come.

In front of us was a line of low hills, stretching parallel with our
line of battle, and on the slope toward us, and within pistol shot of
us, were rebel cavalry pickets, sitting upon their horses and facing us
with the coolest impudence; but not a shot was fired at them. We had not
rested here long before we heard the booming of cannon on our left,
where, three miles down the river, the Third corps had already engaged
the enemy. At length the order came to move forward. The Second
division, under General Howe, held the right, the Third brigade
constituting its front line, the Vermont brigade its second, the
Forty-third New York as skirmishers. On the left, was the First
division, the Sixth Maine on the skirmish line, the Second and Third
brigades in the advance, the New Jersey brigade in the reserve; and in
the center the Third division, under General Terry.

In this order the corps pushed forward up t