This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. After the battle of Fredricksburg in December, 1862, and a second attempt by the Army of the Potomac to move on the enemy later in the winter, and which simply resulted in its sticking in the mud, the conclusion was irresistible that an army encamped on either side of the Rappahannock river during the months of December, January, February, March and April was so thoroughly encased in mud that any important movement was practically impossible, and both armies settled down to the simple task of watching each other. Cavalry could get about after a fashion, and the Eastern battalion of the Third Indiana Cavalry took its turn with the Eighth Illinois and Eighth New York in picketing the right flank of the army in the vicinity of Dumfries and Quantico creek until about the middle of April. At this time the brigade to which it belonged, under command of Colonel Davis, of the Eighth New York, moved up the Rappahannock to the vicinity of Warrentown, where it confronted the confederate cavalry watching the approaches to the left flank of Lee's army. Every move of either resulted in some kind of an encounter with the other. Colonel Davis' brigade crossed the Rappahannock on April 15 at Beverly Ford for the purpose of making a reconnoissance, and on the return the rear guard, consisting of Companies E and F of the Third Indiana, was charged by a much superior force of the enemy, and twenty men, including Lieutenant Shannon, of Company E, were captured with their horses. In the record we find no report by any federal officer of this affair save the mention of the loss in men, horses and arms. But at page 88, Vol. XXV, Part 1, we find a rather accurate account (as far as it goes) by R. L. T. Beale, colonel commanding Ninth Virginia...