The Fifth Corps had marched to Kelley’s Ford, and crossed in rear of the Twelfth Corps.  From here, Sykes’s and Griffin’s divisions marched towards Ely’s Ford, preceded by Col.  Devin’s Sixth New York Cavalry, which surprised the pickets at that place.  The troops crossed by wading.  Humphreys remained behind to cover the passage of the trains, and after followed the column.

On crossing the Rapidan, Sykes was pushed towards United-States Ford, to dislodge the Confederate force there, by thus taking in reverse their position, while Griffin marched to Chancellorsville.  The whole corps soon after united at the latter place, and was located with its right joining Slocum, and the left extending towards the river, facing Mine Run.

A skirmish of no particular moment had occurred between Griffin and Anderson, as the former reached Chancellorsville.  Anderson had been retiring before the Federal advance, on the plank road towards Fredericksburg.  His rear guard made a short stand at the crossroads, but withdrew after a few rounds; and Anderson took up a position near Mine Road, where numerous ravines, perpendicular to the river, afforded excellent successive lines of defence.

On reaching Chancellorsville, Slocum took command of the three corps there assembled.  He was ordered to ascertain, by a cavalry party, whether the enemy were detaching any considerable force from Fredericksburg to meet his column.  If not, an advance at all hazards was to be made, and a position on the plank road which would uncover Banks’s Ford to be secured.  If the enemy were in strong force, Slocum was to select a position, and compel his attack.  Not a moment was to be lost until the troops were concentrated at Chancellorsville.  “From that moment all will be ours,” said Hooker.

The inconsistency of these orders can be explained only by marked ignorance of the country.  To secure a position which would uncover Banks’s Ford was certainly a great desideratum; but the possession of Chancellorsville was far from accomplishing this end, as we shall see.

So admirably planned and executed were all orders up to this time, that on Thursday, by two P.M., three corps of nearly forty thousand men were concentrated on Lee’s flank, while the latter was still unaware of the presence of any considerable Federal force in this vicinity.

On Monday Couch had been ordered to march two divisions of his (Second) corps to Banks’ Ford, but to keep back from the river, and to show no more than the usual pickets.  One brigade and a battery to be sent to United-States Ford, there to relieve an equal detail of the Eleventh Corps, which would rejoin its command.  All their artillery to move with these two divisions, and to be ready to cover a forced crossing.  The division whose camps at Falmouth were most easily seen by the enemy from across the river (it happened to be Gibbon’s) to be left in camp to do picket and provost duty.  The Third Corps would be available in case the enemy himself attempted a crossing.  Gibbon to be ready to join the command at any time.