The pack-mules and lead-horses of Stoneman’s column were left with the main army, till the expected junction should be made by its advance south of the Rappahannock.  Stoneman had with him but five or six days’ rations; but he relied upon Hooker’s assurance that he would be up with him before these rations were exhausted.  Every officer and man, the generals and their staffs setting the example, took with them only what they could carry on their horses.  Nor, despite the cold drenching rain, which fell plentifully, were any camp-fires lighted the first few nights.  Stoneman seems to have been abundantly ambitious of doing his work thoroughly, and issued stirring orders to his subordinates, calling upon them for every exertion which they were capable of making.

On reaching Raccoon Ford, over the Rapidan, Stoneman found it guarded by the Confederate cavalry.  He therefore sent Buford to a point six miles below, where he was able to cross, and, marching up the south bank, to uncover Raccoon Ford.  The main body was then put over.

Stoneman’s column was in the saddle by two A.M. of the 31st.  But it proved to be too foggy to push on:  he had as yet no guides, and he was obliged to wait for daylight.

He then hurried Gregg on to Louisa Court House, which place was reached during the night of May 1, and details were speedily set to work tearing up the railroads.  Buford was sent by way of the North Anna to the same point; and at ten A.M., May 2, the entire force was at Louisa.

From here a squadron was despatched towards Gordonsville, to ascertain the meaning of the movement of several trains of troops, which had passed up from Richmond in that direction the evening previous.  Parties were also sent out to Tolersville and Frederickshall Stations, to destroy whatever material could be found there.  Still another destroyed Carr’s Bridge on the North Anna.

The balance of the force was set to work to break up the Virginia Central; and for a distance of eighteen miles the telegraph, stations, tanks, and cars were burned, and the rails torn up, and bent and twisted over bonfires.

The command then marched for Yanceyville, on the South Anna, and, arriving at Thompson’s Cross-roads at ten P.M. of May 2, headquarters were established at this point.

Here Stoneman seems to have become entirely oblivious of his instructions, and to have substituted for them ideas originating in his own brain.  He assembled his officers, and informed them that “we had dropped like a shell in that region of country, and he intended to burst it in every direction.”