Mr. Stuart's "Critter-back Company" was
supposed to number about twelve thousand sabres, and information
obtained by General Buford showed that the Rebels were preparing for a
cavalry raid on a scale never before attempted.

Here was an opportunity for the "Cavalry Corps" which Hooker had
organized; but, owing to the wear and tear of Stoneman's raid, General
Hooker thought our cavalry weak to cope with the enemy, if their
numbers as reported were correct. He decided, however, to send General
Pleasanton with all the cavalry to attack Stuart, "stiffened," as he
expressed it, with about five thousand infantry.

This "stiffening" consisted of a few selected regiments, including
"ours," to be divided equally between two columns of cavalry,--one under
Buford, with Ames to command his infantry, the other under Gregg, with
General David Russell as infantry commander.

The total force of infantry was probably not more than three thousand,
as each regiment was thinned down by weeding out every man who could not
be relied upon for a forced march. The order came on the afternoon of
June 6 to "get ready in light marching order for a secret expedition,
leaving all sick and baggage behind." The news soon spread through camp,
and friends from other regiments came to witness the departure of the
chosen. Upon learning that the Third Wisconsin was not included in the
order, the enthusiasm in the Second Massachusetts was considerably
dampened. "The Third" was certain that there must be some mistake in the
transmission of the order. These two regiments had been brigaded
together since the beginning of the war, and had fought side by side in
every action. There was a sense of mutual support, and a desire to share
equally all the honors; a strong feeling of pride in each regarding the
achievements of the other. To us, it would have been unnatural to go
into action without the Third Wisconsin, or at least not to know that
they were in support. A hasty consultation resulted in sending an
officer to present the case at head-quarters. The chaplain's excellent
mare was summarily pressed for the service; and our ambassador,
springing into the clerical saddle, shot away for General Ruger's
head-quarters. He returned with an encouraging word that the General
would see what could be done.

The column was already moving out of camp, under the gaze of a crowd of
officers and men. It seemed quite a family affair, as we noticed the
"Thirty-third Mass