[31] By being compelled to ford streams without taking off shoes or stockings, the men's feet were badly blistered.
[32] Upon taking command, Meade is said to have expressed himself as "shocked" at the scattered condition of the army.
V
THE FIRST OF JULY
Buford.
Since early in the afternoon of June 30th, the inhabitants of Gettysburg had seen pouring through their village, taking position on the heights that dominate it, and spreading themselves out over all the roads leading into it from the west and north, squadron after squadron of horse, dusty and travel-stained, but alert, vigilant, and full of ardor at the prospect of coming to blows with the enemy at last.
This was a portion of that splendid cavalry which, under the lead of Pleasonton, Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick, at last disputed the boasted superiority of Stuart's famous troopers. At last the Union army had a cavalry force. These men formed the van of that army which was pursuing Lee by forced marches for the purpose of bringing him to battle.
Oak Ridge.