in order to operate as a flanking column upon
the enemy at the proper time. With the First and Second divisions
Pleasonton pushed straight on to Culpepper, driving the enemy before him
without much resistance until within about a mile of the town. Here our
advance was effectually checked. A fearful duel now took place with
varying fortunes. For some time the enemy baffled all our efforts to
dislodge him from his strong position, and our men began to look
wishfully for the flankers, when lo! Kilpatrick's flags were seen
advancing from the direction of Stevensburg, and his artillery was soon
thundering in the enemy's flank and rear. Under this unexpected and
well-directed fire, that portion of the enemy which had kept our main
column at bay fell back in confusion into the town; and, before they
had time to re-form their broken lines, the Harris Light, Fifth New
York, First Vermont, and First Michigan, led by General Custer, dashed
upon the "Johnnies" in the streets, throwing the boast of the chivalry
into a perfect rout. Many prisoners were captured, more or less material
of war, and three Blakely guns. The Rebels retreated hastily in the
direction of Pony Mountain and Rapidan Bridge, whither they were closely
pursued by our victorious squadrons. The day following this brilliant
advance Pleasonton occupied all the fords of the Rapidan, extending his
pickets on our right as far forward as the Robertson and Hazel Rivers.

The way having been thus prepared by his heroic _avant-couriers_,
General Meade advanced the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock,
and took his temporary residence in Culpepper.

_September 15._--Kilpatrick's division advanced from Culpepper to
Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan. Colonel Davies' brigade supported a battery
of artillery a short distance from the ford from one till four P. M. The
shelling from the enemy's batteries was terrific. Their position was
admirable on the high bluff south of the ford, and the range was just
right for execution. Their artillery was of a heavy calibre, and
supported by infantry. They were finely screened by earthworks, while
our forces were almost entirely exposed, and protected only here and
there by a little knoll. In the unequal duel which took place, two of
our guns were dismounted and disabled, while several artillerymen and
horses were killed. It was not at all pacticable for us to attempt a
crossing.

Before night we retired from the ford, and the divisions t