The point on which the two columns, spoken of in the order of April 28, were to unite, was suggested as somewhere on the Pamunkey; and the one column was to go at once about its work, while the other masked its march, and after joined it.

Under these orders, Stoneman proceeded to get the corps together,—­the distance of many outlying pickets delaying him almost a day,—­and finally crossed the Rappahannock by five P.M. of the 29th, a portion of his troops using Kelly’s Ford, in connection with Slocum’s column.

He then assembled his division and brigade commanders, spread his maps before them, and made them acquainted with his orders and plans.

Averell, with his own division, Davis’s brigade of Pleasonton’s division, and Tidball’s battery, was instructed to push for Culpeper Court House; while Stoneman, with Gregg’s division, Buford’s reserve brigade, and Robertson’s battery, moved on Stevensburg.

It was expected that Averell would reach Brandy Station the same night (29th), driving before him the enemy, who was in very small force in his front.  And when Stoneman got well on his way, he despatched Capt.  Drummond, with a squadron, from beyond Rocky Run, by crossroads, to Brandy Station, to bring intelligence of Averell’s movements.  The latter had, however, not reached that place.  And, learning later in the evening that he had leisurely gone into camp, close by the place where the forces had crossed, Stoneman sent him word that he must turn the enemy in his front over to him, while himself pushed on towards Richmond.

This order read as follows:—­

Headquarterscavalry corps,
April 30, 1863. 
Brig.-Gen.  Averell, Commanding, etc.

The major-general commanding directs me to say that we have been delayed by high water, etc., and that he desires you to push the enemy as vigorously as possible, keeping him fully occupied, and, if possible, drive him in the direction of Rapidan Station.  He turns the enemy over to you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. Alexander,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

And Hooker justly claims that it was an entire misinterpretation of his instructions, which were to have Averell join Stoneman’s column, so soon as he had masked the latter’s movement towards the Aquia and Richmond Railroad.

On May 3, Averell, who had done nothing but skirmish for a couple of days with a force of about one-fifth his own, and had then retired to Ely’s Ford, and gone into camp, was relieved, and Pleasonton placed in command of his division.