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Chapter 27: on the Rapidan.
We remained in camp during the month of August, and the forepart of September, resting our men from their late fatigues, and recruiting our strength by the return of the sick and wounded who had recovered.
General Hoke having recovered from his wound, now returned to his brigade, but was soon sent off with one of his regiments to
North Carolina on special duty.
In the last of August, or first part of September,
Longstreet's corps was detached from our army, leaving only
Ewell's and
Hill's.
The enemy's cavalry had been constantly increasing in amount, and he had now a much larger force of that arm than we had. He was able to keep his cavalry well mounted, while horses were becoming very scarce with us. On the 13th of September, a large force of the enemy's cavalry, supported by infantry, advanced into
Culpeper, and
Stuart's cavalry was compelled to retire.
My division, followed by
Rodes', was advanced to the
Rapidan to prevent the enemy from crossing, and we had some sharp skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry which came up to Somerville and
Raccoon Fords, and we had some brisk artillery firing also.
My division took position covering the two fords named, and
Rodes' went to Morton's Ford on my right and took position covering that; some of
Hill's troops covering the fords above.
The demonstrations by the enemy's cavalry and the skirmishing continued a day or two on the river, and a portion of
Meade's infantry, all of which had moved into
Culpeper, came up and relieved the cavalry, when the pickets were again established in sight of each other.
We then proceeded to strengthen our position by rifle pits and epaulments for artillery, and continued in position until the 8th of October, there
