September 11th.—To-day we had a grand review of Ewell’s Second Army Corps, by General Lee, who expressed himself highly pleased.
September 19th.—This morning the whole of Johnson’s division moved in the direction of Fredericksburg, and halted, after a march of twenty miles, at Mitchell’s Ford, on the Rapidan, where we formed line of battle, in anticipation of an attack from the enemy, as several small parties of Federal troops could be seen in the distance. The command remained here until the 8th of October, inviting an attack, without being gratified, when the division returned to within five miles of Orange Court House.
October 9th.—This is a cold, frosty morning, and at daylight we moved towards Madison Court House, and encamped within four miles of the place.
October 10th.—We were awakened at five o’clock, and moved at six, passing to the right of Madison Court House, and shortly after forded Robinson’s River, where our cavalry had a skirmish, capturing about one hundred of the enemy. After crossing the river, we moved in the direction of Culpepper Court House, and encamped within eight miles of it. During the evening heavy cannonading was heard in our front, and it seemed as though a fight was imminent, as it was well known Meade, with his whole army, were not far off.
October 11th.—The column moved at early dawn, and, marching slowly, went into camp in the vicinity of Culpepper Court House. During our march we saw evidences, on every side, of Yankee vandalism. Whole fields of corn had been wantonly destroyed, and the citizens complained bitterly of the treatment they had received.
October 12th.—We were aroused at two o’clock in the morning, but did not move until half-past six, when we continued the road to Culpepper, passing a great many deserted camps, which gave every evidence that the enemy had abandoned them in haste. Leaving Culpepper to the right, the command soon after forded Hazel River, and struck the Warrenton turnpike at Jeffersontown.
From this place to the Rappahannock, a distance of three miles, a sharp skirmish ensued, the enemy retiring. In this affair quite a number of prisoners were captured. At dark we crossed the river, and took up our quarters in a deserted camp.
October 13th.—The column moved at sunrise, taking the Warrenton pike, and passed through what was once the beautiful Warrenton Springs, though now nothing but a mass of ruins. From thence our route lay through the village of Warrenton, six miles distant, and near which we encamped for the night. It is now pretty generally believed a fight will not take place this side of Manassas, twenty-two miles distant, as the enemy are rapidly falling back.
October 14th.—We moved at sunrise, taking the road to Manassas. The cannonading was heavy during the entire day. After marching sixteen miles the division went into camp about five miles from the old battle-field.
October 16th.—Early in the morning the brigade moved to the front and formed line of battle at Bristow’s Station. A sharp artillery fight soon after commenced which was very destructive to the horses, though fortunately the men escaped with a few slight wounds.