William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac

From the North Anna the line of march of the army made a wide circuit eastward and then southward to pass the Pamunkey. This river is formed by the confluence of the North and South Anna; and the Pamunkey in turn uniting with the Mattapony, forms the York River, emptying into Chesapeake Bay. Thus the successful passage of the Pamunkey would not only dislodge Lee from the lines of the North and South Anna, but would bring the army in communication with a new and excellent water-base. While the army was at Spottsylvania Courthouse it had used Fredericksburg as a depot; when it moved to the North Anna, the base was shifted to Port Royal on the Rappahannock. Cutting loose from this, it had White House as a depot.

The Sixth Corps, preceded by two divisions of cavalry under Sheridan, had the advance on the night of the 26th; and on the morning of the 27th, after a beautifully executed march of twenty-two miles, the head of the column struck the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. Nothing was present but a small mounted force in observation: this was readily dispersed or captured. The Sixth Corps thereupon made the passage, uncovered the fords, and took position to await the arrival of the remaining corps of the army. These continued their march during the day, and on the morning of the 28th the Fifth and Ninth corps had joined the van on the south side of the Pamunkey. The Second Corps bringing up the rear, retired from the North Anna on the morning of the 27th, and on the same afternoon made the passage at a ford four miles above Hanovertown. The whole army was thus across the Pamunkey; and the routes to White House, at the head of York River, being opened up, the army was put in communication with the ample supplies floated by the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

Grant's new turning movement was met by a corresponding retrograde movement on the part of Lee, and as he fell back