The Army of the Potomac moved off their five months' camping ground, thereafter to realize that armies could move without regard to seasons.
Pontoons were thrown across the Rapidan, principally at Germania and Ely's Fords.
Passed over the battle ground of just a year before, at Chancellorsville, and came well into the Wilderness on the
5th. At 9 o'clock, Hancock was ordered to the support of Getty's Division, the 2d of the 6th Corps, who had run against the enemy on the Orange Plank and Turnpike Roads.
The woods and narrow roads prevented Hancock from getting into position until 4 o'clock, when he sent Birney's and Mott's Divisions to Getty's support, and saved him from a rout.
Fighting continued until dark.
Grant's disposition of the troops placed Hancock in command of about one-half the Line, and thus located, he was ordered to attack at 4 o'clock the morning of the 6th, subsequently changed, at Meade's suggestion, to 5 o'clock. The movement was prompt, and to the left of the Orange Plank Road.
Battle of the Wilderness.
By the end of the first hour of the desperate fighting of that morning, it was Grant's belief, that "if the country had been such that Hancock and his Command could have seen the confusion and panic in the lines of the enemy, it would have been taken advantage of so effectually, that Lee would not have made another stand outside the Richmond defences."