Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/360

 354 Southern historii-at X<-if(t/

on the north side of the capital, and a victory on their soil, with its attending advantages, might be the means of terminating this terri- ble and unequal struggle, and bring peace to our then unhappy country, whose people were already suffering untold misery. The army was accordingly soon preparing to make another invasion of the enemy's territory, there 'to again contend for those principles which will ever remain dear to our Southern people. The Army of Northern Virginia consisted of three corps, as stated above, when we left our camp and started from the green and now peaceful hills in front of Fredericksburg. Our soldiers were in the best of spir- its, and the implicit confidence reposed in our officers and the just- ness of the cause combined to make heroes of even the most timid. And this confidence was fully shared in by the Confederate govern- ment, as was proven by the withdrawal of nearly all the troops around Richmond, and Lee's march far away into the enemy's ter- ritory.

ON THE MARCH.

After cooking three days' rations, the Crenshaw Battery moved out in the main road leading to Hamilton's Crossing, where we were joined by the other companies of Pegram's Battalion, and our march was then begun in earnest. We first crossed the river at Kelly's Ford, which place had already become famous on account of the numerous cavalry fights which had in part been settled there, prom- inent among which was the battle of the 1 7th of March, 1863, in which the gallant and much lamented young artillerist, Major Pel- ham, received his death wound, after having arisen to the proud position of chief of artillery of "Jeb" Stuart's cavalry corps. This chivalrous young officer was known throughout the whole army and enjoyed the reputation of being a bold and courageous officer, whose example had the telling effect of making heroes of his very gallant command. Kelley's Ford was one of the first points seized by Gen- eral Grant in his campaign against Richmond. And here looms up before me in quick succession Germania, Raccoon, and Ely's Fords. What soldier of the Army of Northern Virginia will ever forget these names ? What stirring scenes have been enacted upon their now peaceful shores. No more will the waters of the Rappahan- nock, Rapidan, Robinson, Shenandoah, and Potomac become turbid by the feet of the soldiers of the lost cause. No more will the sound of the "foot cavalry," as was its wont, be heard in the now happy