Battle Field and Prison Pen, Or Through the War, and Thrice a Prisioner in Rebel Dungeons

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ... enjoyi FORWARD AGAIN. 241 the confidence of the government, the people, and the army. Your movement being in co-operation with others, it is of the utmost importance that no effort should be spared to make it successful. Soldiers, the eyes of the whole country are looking with anxious hope to the blow you are about to strike in the most sacred cause that ever called men to arms. Remember your homes, your wives, and your children, and bear in mind that the sooner your enemies are overcome, the sooner you will be returned to enjoy the blessings and benefits of peace. Bear with patience the hardships you will be called upon to endure. Have confidence in your officers and each other. Keep your ranks on the march and on the battle field, and let each man earnestly implore God's blessing, and endeavor by his thoughts and actions to render himself worthy ol the favor he seeks. With clear conscience and strong arms, actuated by a high sense of duty, fighting to preserve the government and the institutions handed down to us by our forefathers, if true to ourselves, victory, under God's blessing, must and will attend our efforts. George G. Meade, Major General Commanding. Directly after midnight, May 4th, the reveille in the Union army was beaten. Soon after, the troops were marching from their camps, and the great movement against the rebel capital had begun. Our corps (the Fifth) marched out on the Fredericksburg plank-road, and some time in the forenoon crossed the Rapidan river at Germania Ford. We marched until about four o'clock in the afternoon, when we camped for the night, having gone a distance of thirty miles. Our camp for the night was in the vicinity of what is known as the Wilderness tavern. The Sixth corps had 242 GRANT'S TLANS. followed on the same r...