General Horace Porter, Campaigning with Grant

“ [44] he objects, the trip will undoubtedly be prolonged.” The correspondent looked as if he did not see just how he could base any definite predictions upon this oracular response.

I happened to be looking over a field map at the time, and, at the general's request, handed it to him. He examined it attentively for a few minutes, and then returned it without making any remarks. The main roads were pretty well represented on our maps. The Germanna road runs a little east of south; five miles from the Rapidan it is crossed by a road running east and west, called the Orange turnpike; a mile beyond it intersects the Brock road, which runs north and south; and a mile farther on the Brock road is crossed by the Orange plank-road running east and west. There were also some narrow cross-roads cut through the woods in various places.

About one o'clock word came from Meade that our signal-officers had succeeded in deciphering a message sent to General Ewell, which read as follows: “We are moving. Had I not better move D. and D. toward New Verdierville? (Signed) R.” The general manifested considerable satisfaction at receiving this news, and remarked: “That gives just the information I wanted. It shows that Lee is drawing out from his position, and is pushing across to meet us.” He now called for writing material, and placing a book upon his knee, laid the paper upon it, and wrote a despatch to Burnside at Rappablannock Station, saying: “Make forced marches until you reach this place. Start your troops now in the rear the moment they can be got off, and require them to make a night march.”

A cold lunch was then eaten off a pine table in the dining-room of the deserted house. Later in the afternoon our tents arrived, and were pitched near the house,