From Gettysburg to the Rapidan: The Army of the Potomac, July, 1863, to April, 1864

From Gettysburg to the Rapidan: The Army of the Potomac, July, 1863, to April, 1864 is a narrative that was intended to form the first part of Vol. XII of the Scribner Campaigns of the Civil War but was necessarily excluded from the said volume by its bulk. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE. CHAPTER I. General Lee retreats from Gettysburg and crosses the Potomac at Williamsport, intrenching his position to cover the crossing—General Meade follows in pursuit by his left flank—Finds Lee covered by intrenchments too strong to attack without careful examination; but his reconnoissance in force is too late to prevent the crossing—While covering Washington, Meade forces Lee to abandon the Shenandoah Valley, with its large food supplies, and to take position between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. CHAPTER II. The movement to Centreville—Meade advances against Lee, who is forced to withdraw beyond the Rapidan. CHAPTER III. General Meade Crosses the Rapidan, expecting to surprise General Lee, and encounter his Forces in detail—The plan is frustrated by the failure of the Third Corps to unite with the Second and Sixth Corps on the morning of the second day at Robertson’s Tavern—Meade Advances to Mine Run, makes dispositions to attack Lee; but finding him too strongly posted and intrenched, withdraws to his former position on the Rapidan. CHAPTER IV. The Army of the Potomac makes a Demonstration against Lee on the Rapidan to aid General Butler’s proposed Attack on Richmond, but only spoils its own chance for surprising Lee in his Winter Quarters—Kilpatrick’s attempt to capture Richmond, and release the prisoners of Libby and other Military Prisons.