From the start to the finish it was a race, but not from the foe. There were no obstacles worth the mention for Lee to encounter, none for Hooker.
Lee went upon that side of the mountain, Hooker upon this. Across the Potomac went Lee, and across the Potomac came Hooker—at different points.
The Army of the Potomac had marched before, but never before, nor after, as it did through the night after crossing into Maryland. Along the tow-path, dark, wet and slippery; strength all gone, and the muscles expanding simply to get rid of the contraction.
Such was the character of the march, that at times the nearest comrade on the walk would not be within ten paces to the front or rear.
What had been lost at the start must now be made up, for Lee was well on toward every Pennsylvania soldier's home.
On June 27th, at Frederick, Maryland, the order was promulgated assigning Major-General Meade to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Hooker thereby relieved.
On the night of June 30th, at Taneytown, came the order detailing the Regiment to guard the Supply Train.
The next morning, Colonel Opp, knowing that his men were averse to such duty, made special request of the Brigade Commander to revoke the order, but without success.
July 1st, started with the train, which was then moving with the Column from Taneytown on the road to Emmettsburg, and while on the way word came that the Cavalry and the 1st Corps had encountered Lee at Gettysburg, and that Reynolds had been killed.