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.

There was now much uncertainty in General Grant’s mind as to the enemy’s whereabouts, and there were received daily the most conflicting statements as to the nature of Lee’s movements.  It became necessary, therefore, to find out by an actual demonstration what Lee was doing, and I was required to reconnoitre in the direction of Mechanicsville.  For this purpose I moved Gregg’s division out toward this town by way of Hawe’s Shop, and when it had gone about three-fourths of a mile beyond the Shop the enemy’s cavalry was discovered dismounted and disposed behind a temporary breastwork of rails and logs.