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[227] into which we moved the next morning early, strengthening, to some extent, those along the battery front. At 7.30 we joined the Red Diamonds once more, and moved down the Brock Road still further to the left, but at noon were ordered back to the tavern. It was with no slight degree of satisfaction, however, that we turned our backs upon this dust-covered spot for the last time at 3 P. M., for, owing to the excessive travel over the road, the surface was reduced to an impalpable powder, which with the slightest movement filled the air, and had deposited a stratum upon us that made us grayer than the grayest of the ‘Johnnies.’

We direct our course along the Brock Road for nearly a mile and a half, then turning abruptly to the right, proceed southerly for three-quarters of a mile, issuing from the woods at what was known as Widow Talley's farm. By order of Gen. Birney we unlimbered on some high ground, and shelled a Rebel wagon train whose course along a road parallel to our own we could trace by the long line of dust rising above the trees. We made no long stop here, but moved on moderately, and crossing the Po River, bivouacked near the road for the night, unaware of our close proximity to the enemy. But our lines were, in fact, a short distance from those of the Rebels, for Gen. Hancock had been ordered to cross the Po with the hope of capturing a part of the above wagon train, It was for this reason that the Second Corps, still holding the left of the Union line, was pressed thus far forward. Night came on, however, before full dispositions were made, and at dawn of the 10th it was too late, as the train had gone by. Nevertheless, Gen. Hancock continued his forward demonstration. The plan of placing the army at Spottsylvania Court House between Lee

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