Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/53

Rh river above Fredericksburg, the reports that reached him were confused and contradictory. Accordingly, early in February he directed a reconnoitering party of Wickham's cavalry to cross the Rappahannock at the United States ford; descend the left bank, and find out the enemy's position. The river was at swimming point, and when the party had proceeded a few miles the enemy was discovered in force, compelling them to return empty handed. Subsequently General Fitz Lee was ordered with his brigade from CulpepperCulpeper [sic] Court House to break through the outposts and ascertain what lay behind. With his accustomed dash he penetrated the lines some miles beyond Hartwood Church, and after capturing a considerable number of prisoners, brought them off in the face of a large body of the enemy, and the Confederate commander was assured of the fact of Hooker's presence and how his army lay.

General Hooker also set about reorganizing his army, and among other changes discarded the formation of the infantry into three grand divisions, retaining the corps formation as the unit. The reason assigned by him for the change, was that the grand division was cumbrous and unwieldy to handle. The army was thus made to consist of seven corps, each under its corps commander. Whether the change was judicious has given rise to a diversity of opinion. In the following spring, it may be said General Grant reduced the number of army corps, and the army was consolidated into three corps, making a corps about equal to the old grand division.

General Hooker's first demonstration was against the Confederate cavalry at CulpepperCulpeper [sic] Court House, which General Averill about the middle of March, with three thousand sabres, was directed to attack and disperse, by crossing the river at Kelly's ford. Averill was provided with four days' rations, but after a sharp fight with Fitz Lee half way between the river and Brandy Station he retired, to the great disgust arid disappointment of Hooker. What should ultimately be the real line of attack was with General Hooker a matter of great solicitude. Burnside had already made an attack in front, nndand [sic] the result of that effort was not such as to invite a repetition. The passage of the river at