red to again join the main army, and, on the
thirtieth ultimo, he started on the march to Urbanna, on the Lower
Rappahannock. He returned to the Army of the Potomac on the fifth
instant, after travelling over a large extent of territory and
destroying an immense amount of property."

A little rest was enjoyed at Falmouth. But our experience convinces us
that the cavalryman must write history in haste if he would write as
rapidly as it is made.

_June 7._--The bugles sounded reveille at three o'clock A. M. "Boots and
saddles" followed at four; "lead out" at four-and-a-quarter, and the
column was in motion towards Warrenton Junction at four-and-a-half. We
went _via_ Catlett's Station, which place we reached at two o'clock P. M.
Nearly every step of the march was on familiar ground, where we had
passed and repassed many times. It seemed like meeting old friends, and
nearly every object we saw suggested thoughts and experiences of the past.

[Illustration: CAVALRY FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION, JUNE 9th, 1863.]

At Warrenton Junction we rejoined the Cavalry Corps, now under the
command of General Alfred Pleasonton.

_June 9._--At two o'clock P. M. the whole Cavalry Corps moved from
Warrenton Junction towards the Rappahannock. We are marching in two
columns, one towards Beverly and the other towards Kelly's, Fords. The
Harris Light moves with the latter column. Two brigades of infantry
under Generals Ames and Russell accompany the expedition, each with a
battery of artillery.

CAVALRY FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION.

Early on the morning of the ninth we arrived at the river, where it was
evident we were not expected in force, for we found nothing but a strong
picket-guard to contest our advance. A brief though brisk skirmish took
place at the ford, but the Rebel pickets were soon driven back and our
column began to cross over, the Harris Light being in the van. On
reaching the south bank of the stream, the column was re-formed, and we
advanced for some distance at a gallop.

The column at Beverly Ford, commanded by General Gregg, had been engaged
since early in the morning, and the roaring of light arms and the
booming of cannon clearly indicated to us that hot work was being done
by our comrades below. It had been hoped that that column would be able
to strike the enemy in flank at Brandy Station, in the early part of the
day, giving us an opportunity to rake them furiously in front. Hence we
were somewhat retarded in our mov