The great army was now ready for the ever memorable second invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania, which culminated in Gettysburg.  The army was never before nor afterwards under better discipline nor in better fighting trim.

I will say here, that Colonel Aiken soon joined the brigade and took command of his regiment until after the great battle, and then retired permanently from active service.

On the 3d of June McLaws led off, Hood following on the 4th.  Pickett followed Hood.  On the 4th and 5th Ewell broke camp and followed in the wake of Longstreet.  A.P.  Hill, with 3d corps, was left at Fredericksburg to watch the movements of the enemy.  After some delay, the enemy threatening a crossing, the 3d corps followed the other troops, all congregating near Culpepper Court House.  Reaching the Blue Ridge mountains at Ashby’s Gap on the 12th of June, at the western base of which runs the Shenandoah, we forded the stream, it being somewhat swollen, so much so, indeed, that men had to link hands as a protection.  The water came up under the armpits, and four men marched abreast, holding each other by the hands.  Some caught hold of horses belonging to officers of the regimental staff.  In this way we crossed over, and took up camp in the woods beyond.  The wagon trains were in advance, and the march was slow and much impeded.  Very few of the men had divested themselves of their clothing in crossing, and consequently when we went into quarters it was a very wet army.  The soldiers had built fires and were rinsing out their clothes, when an order came to “fall in ranks at once.”  The men hastily drew on their now thoroughly wet clothes, with all haste got into line and took up the march back towards the river.  A rumor was started “the cavalry was pressing our rear.”  Kershaw’s Brigade was marched back over the river, much to their disgust, and posted on the right and left of the road on top of the mountain.  Here we were stationed all night, and being on the watch for the enemy, no fires were allowed.  Towards day a cold mountain wind set in, and the troops suffered no little from the chilly wind and wet clothing.  At sun-up we were marched for the third time across the river, and prepared our meals for the morning in the quarters of the evening before.  Up to this time no intimation was given us of our destination, but while preparing our breakfast Adjutant Pope came around with orders stating we were on our way to Hagerstown, Md.  At first some seemed to regard this as a joke, but as Adjutant Pope was so noted for his truthfulness and lack of jesting in business matters, we were compelled to take the matter seriously.  Of all the officers in the 3d South Carolina, Adjutant Pope, I believe, was the most beloved.  His position kept him in close contact with the officers and men, and all had the utmost confidence in his honor and integrity and none doubted his impartiality.  He had to keep the list of companies, to do picket duty, and detail,