The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-04

, Swiftly and silently the marching col
umns were formed, and the infantry OF
the army. following the cavalry. took
the roads leading to designated fords on
the Rapidan. Every detail of orders to
govern the march had been clearly stat
ed. and was exactly followed.
The points at which the army was to
cross the river were Germanna Ford
about twelve miles below the right end
OF the defensive line occupied by Gen.
Lees army. where the Fifth Corps Gen.
G. X. Warren. and the Sixth. Gen. John
Sedgwick. were TO cross. and Ely's Ford.
six miles farther down the stream, to
which the Second Corps, Gen. Winfield
s. Hancock. was directed.
From each of these fords road led
southwark through rough and wooded
country known as the Wilderness OF
SpOttsylvania. A region of dense thick
cts. mine openings, gravel pits, rocks.
boys and swamps, about fifteen miles
across
Traversing this section nearly at right
angles with these roads were two high
ways. extending from Orange Court
House-where Gen. Lee had his head
IQuarters-to Charlottesville. These were
known respectively as the Orange turn
pike and the Plank road
The orders ISSUED to the Army of the
| Potomac covered not osly the cross ing
OF the river, but an advance Of War
ren's column to Wilderness Tavern.
where the Germanna road crossed the
Orange turnpike. and Hancock to Chan
cellorsvine The cavalry. after covering
the crossing Of the river was to push
out beyond the positions reached by the
heads of the infantry columns Sedg-
wicks corps was TO camp near the river,
20
All moved as planned. The cavalry
crossed the fords at midnight. drove off
the enemy's pickets. and covered the
engineers while pontoon bridges were
laid. In the early morning the infantry
columns began to cross the river and file
on. in splendid array. down the narrow,
winding roads into the Wilderness.
The troops made a splendid show as
they crossed the stream in compact
columns. with steady step, their flags
waving and the sun thrown back in a
million flashing points from their
gistening arms. The warmth of the
morning. sweetness of the air, the sing
ing of the birds. and the excitement of
the march led many of the regiments
To sing or cheer as they advanced into
the country south Of the Rapidan.
Grant on the March
As soon as the army and its trains
were in motion Gen. Grant left the
little brick house at Culpeper Court
House that had been his headquarters
since March 20. and, with his staff,
started to follow the marching troops,
behind the Fifth Corps.
Grant rode his bay horse Cincinnati,
with a well-wOrn saddle that had
served him since the Fort Donelson
days. He was dressed a little less
plainly than usual He wore a uni
form coat and waistcoat. with the coat
huttoned. plain top boots reaching to the
knees. sword. spurs, and sash. a black
SLOUGH hat with plain gold cord and a
pair of yellowish-brown thread gloves
His stan accounted for the gloves by
the theory that they were in Difference
to supposed Eastern tastes in dress.
They had been sent Grant by his wife.
He wore them steadily for three days.
until they worn out.
AS the soldiers saw Grant riding past
them many of them shouted and a few
cheered, but there were no wild demon
STATIONS Grant as yet was a stranger
to the army, and a mystery, too. The
Eastern soldiers marveled at his plain
ness and simplicity of manner.
With Grant rode a civilian, in sober
black. His presence with the army ex-
cited the curiosity of the soldiers, who
slyly asked each other il Grant had
brought along his private undertaken.
This was Hon. Elihu B. Washburne of
Illinois. Grants friend in Congress, who
had secured the passage of the bill CIV
ing Grant supreme command of the
Federal armies. Mr.. Washburne had