When I rejoined the Army of the Potomac, near Chesterfield Station, the heavy battles around Spottsylvania had been fought, and the complicated manoeuvres by which the whole Union force was swung across the North Anna were in process of execution.  In conjunction with these manoeuvres Wilson’s division was sent to the right flank of the army, where he made a reconnoissance south of the North Anna as far as Little River, crossing the former stream near Jericho Mills.  Wilson was to operate from day to day on that flank as it swung to the south, covering to New Castle ferry each advance of the infantry and the fords left behind on the march.  From the 26th to the 30th these duties kept Wilson constantly occupied, and also necessitated a considerable dispersion of his force, but by the 31st he was enabled to get all his division together again, and crossing to the south side of the Pamunkey at New Castle ferry, he advanced toward Hanover Court House.  Near Dr Pride’s house he encountered a division of the enemy’s cavalry under General W. H. F. Lee, and drove it back across Mechamp’s Creek, thus opening communication with the right of our infantry resting near Phillips’s Mills.  Just as this had been done, a little before dark, Wilson received an order from General Meade directing him to push on toward Richmond until he encountered the Confederates in such strength that he could no longer successfully contend against them, and in compliance with this order occupied Hanover Court House that same day.  Resuming his march at daylight on June 1, he went ahead on the Ashland road while sending Chapman’s brigade up the south bank of the South Anna to destroy the bridges on that stream.  Chapman having succeeded in this work, Wilson re-united his whole command and endeavored to hold Ashland, but finding the Confederate cavalry and infantry there in strong force, he was obliged to withdraw to Dr. Price’s house.  Here he learned that the army had gone to the left toward Cold Harbor, so on the 2d of June he moved to Hawe’s Shop.

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.