istersburg, at which places we
captured several guerillas, who were not looking for us. The first part
of the day was very pleasant, but from eleven o'clock till night we had
a continually drizzling rain, which made our march exceedingly
disagreeable.

We had but just halted for the night, when an order was received from a
messenger, to rejoin the regiment without delay. Through the rain, mud,
and darkness we hastened back to Catlett's Station, where we found
every thing in motion, preparing for some grand movement.

With the gray light of the morning of the twenty-ninth, after marching
most of the night, we reached the banks of the Rappahannock at Kelly's
Ford. In addition to the Cavalry Corps we found here the Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh, and Twelfth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, making
preparation to cross the river. The Engineer Corps soon laid the
pontoons, and the grand columns effected a passage without material
resistance or difficulty.

STONEMAN'S RAID.

We are credibly informed that other columns of our army are crossing the
river at other points, and that a great battle is imminent. There has
been occasional skirmishing, on the front, during the day. The Rebels,
however, seem to have been taken wholly by surprise and are not making
the demonstrations we had good reason to anticipate; but we shall be
greatly disappointed if they do not soon awake, and come to their work.

The going is far from pleasant, though to-day the weather is favorable.
The streams are dreadfully swollen and nearly all bridgeless, compelling
us to ford them. This process, through the cold, high water, is attended
with more or less difficulty and suffering.

Soon after crossing the river the Cavalry Corps broke away from the
infantry, in the direction of Stevensburg; and it is rumored among us
that a grand raid upon the enemy's communications is contemplated,
while the two armies engage in deadly combat, it is thought not far from
the river.

_April 30._--This afternoon our column reached the Rapidan at Raccoon
Ford, and began to cross over. The water being much above the fording
mark and very rapid, we had an exciting time. Several horses and men
were swept down the stream by the swift current and were drowned; and
none of us escaped the unpleasant operation of getting wet.

After reaching the high plateau on the south bank of the river, the
entire corps were formed in line of battle, in which hostile position we
were ordered t