While Wilson was operating thus on the right, I had to cover with Gregg’s and Torbert’s divisions the crossing of the army over the Pamunkey River at and near Hanovertown.  Torbert having recovered from the illness which overtook him in the Wilderness, had now returned to duty.  The march to turn the enemy’s right began on the 26th.  Torbert and Gregg in advance, to secure the crossings of the Pamunkey and demonstrate in such manner as to deceive the enemy as much as possible in the movement, the two cavalry divisions being supported by General D. A. Russell’s division of the Sixth Corps.

To attain this end in the presence of an ever-watchful foe who had just recently been reinforced in considerable numbers from Richmond and further south—­almost enough to make up the losses he had sustained in the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania—­required the most vigorous and zealous work on the part of those to whom had been allotted the task of carrying out the initial manoeuvres.  Torbert started for Taylor’s ford on the Pamunkey with directions to demonstrate heavily at that point till after dark, as if the crossing was to be made there, and having thus impressed the enemy, he was to leave a small guard, withdraw quietly, and march to Hanovertown ford, where the real crossing was to be effected.  Meanwhile Gregg marched to Littlepage’s crossing of the Pamunkey, with instructions to make feints in the same manner as Torbert until after dark, when he was to retire discreetly, leaving a small force to keep up the demonstration, and then march rapidly to Hanovertown crossing, taking with him the pontoon-bridge.

At the proper hour Russell took up the march and followed the cavalry.  The troops were in motion all night, undergoing the usual delays incident to night marches, and, early on the morning of the 27th the crossing was made, Custer’s brigade of Torbert’s division driving from the ford about one hundred of the enemy’s cavalry, and capturing between thirty and forty prisoners.  The remainder of Torbert’s division followed this brigade and advanced to Hanovertown, where General Gordon’s brigade of Confederate cavalry was met.  Torbert attacked this force with Devin’s brigade, while he sent Custer to Hawe’s Shop, from which point a road leading to the right was taken that brought him in rear of the enemy’s cavalry; when the Confederates discovered this manoeuvre, they retired in the direction of Hanover Court House.  Pursuit continued as far as a little stream called Crump’s Creek, and here Torbert was halted, Gregg moving up on his line meanwhile, and Russell encamping near the crossing of the river.  This completed our task of gaining a foothold south of the Pamunkey, and on the 28th the main army crossed unharassed and took up a position behind my line, extending south from the river, with the Sixth Corps on the right across the Hanover Court House road at Crump’s Creek, the Second Corps on the left of the Sixth, and the Fifth Corps about two miles in front of Hanovertown, its left extending to the Tolopotomy.