to execute it. He accomplishes nothing, however, deeming the enemy's position too strong to be forced.
September 5—Retire towards Winchester. Some skirmishing at the Opequon between Early's rear guard and the enemy's advance. Troops camp in same place on Berryville pike.
September 6—Without change.
September 7—A division of Yankee cavalry moves up as far as White Post and returns towards Berryville. Enemy's infantry reported crossing the Opequon and advancing. Our troops turned out to meet them. Enemy retire across the Opequon. Object of the movement supposed to be a reconnoissance.
September 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14—Without change.
September 15—Move at sunrise with Kershaw and Cuttshaw up the Valley pike and camp on North fork of Shenandoah, opposite Buckton.
September 16—Move at sunrise, cross North fork at Buckton ford, cross South fork at McCoy's ford, and camp at Bentonville.
September 17—Move at sunrise on the Mud turnpike, from which we turned off four miles north of Luray and camped four miles from Luray on the Sperryville and Luray pike.
September 18—Move at sunrise, cross Thornton's gap, pass through Sperryville, Woodville and camp two miles east of the latter.
September 19—Move at sunrise and arrive at Culpeper in time to meet a Yankee raiding party, Sixteenth New York cavalry, which is found to have passed down to Rapidan bridge and burnt it. We intercept the party on its return by Bryan's brigade near Poney mountain.
September 20—Move at 12 M. for Rapidan station.
September 21, 22—At Rapidan station awaiting the completion of the bridge.
September 23—Bridge finished. Move to Gordonsville.
September 24—Kershaw moves at sunrise to join Early, via Swift Run gap.
September 25, 26—We take up the march (headquarters) for Richmond, where we arrive on the 26th.
September 27—Move from Richmond to Swift run.
September 28—General Anderson receives orders to move to north side and assume command.
September 29—Move to north side early and find the enemy holding Fort Harrison, which he had taken by a coup de main.
