At the end of the month, however, Longstreet with his three divisions was still absent; sufficient supplies for a forward movement had not yet been accumulated;* (* “From the condition of our horses and the amount of our supplies I am unable even to act on the defensive as vigorously as circumstances might reguire.”  Lee to Davis, April 27, O.R. volume 25 page 752.) two brigades of cavalry, Hampton’s and Jenkins’, which had been sent respectively to South Carolina and the Valley, had not rejoined,* (* On April 20 Lee had asked that the cavalry regiments not needed in other districts might be sent to the Army of Northern Virginia.  The request was not compiled with until too late.  O.R. volume 25 pages 740, 741.) and Hooker had already seized the initiative.

The first news which came to hand was that a strong force of all arms was moving up the Rappahannock in the direction of Kelly’s Ford.

April 28.

This was forwarded by Stuart on the evening of April 28.  The next morning the Federal movements, which might have been no more than a demonstration, became pronounced.

April 29.

Under cover of a thick fog, pontoon bridges were laid at Deep Run below Fredericksburg; Sedgwick’s troops began to cross, and were soon engaged with Jackson’s outposts; while, at the same time, the report came in that a force of unknown strength had made the passage at Kelly’s Ford.

Lee displayed no perturbation.  Jackson, on receiving information of Sedgwick’s movement from his outposts, had sent an aide-de-camp to acquaint the Commander-in-Chief.  The latter was still in his tent, and in reply to the message said:  “Well, I heard firing, and I was beginning to think that it was time some of your lazy young fellows were coming to tell me what it was about.  Tell your good general he knows what to do with the enemy just as well as I do."* (* On March 12, before Hooker had even framed his plan of operations, Lee had received information that the Federals, as soon as the state of the roads permitted, would cross at United States, Falmouth, and some point below; the attempt at Falmouth to be a feint.  O.R. volume 25 part 2 page 664.)

The divisions of the Second Army Corps were at once called up to their old battle-ground, and while they were on the march Jackson occupied himself with watching Sedgwick’s movements.  The Federals were busily intrenching on the river bank, and on the heights behind frowned the long line of artillery that had proved at Fredericksburg so formidable an obstacle to the Confederate attack.  The enemy’s position was very strong, and the time for counterstroke had not yet come.  During the day the cavalry was actively engaged between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, testing the strength of the enemy’s columns.  The country was wooded, the Federals active, and as usual in war, accurate information was difficult to obtain and more difficult to communicate.  It was not till 6.30 P.M. that Lee received notice that troops had crossed at Ely’s and Germanna Fords at 2 P.M.  Anderson’s division was at once dispatched to Chancellorsvile.