The 17th crossed the Rapidan River in the early morning hours of April 30, 1863. The area of the crossing is seen in this 2008 photograph, but the description written by Lt. Albert H. Wilcoxson provides a vivid description:

“A wild and weird scene it was. Moving down the road to the abrupt bank of the river we came to the abutment where had been the old bridge, and where the rebels had lately begun the construction of the new. Here, dividing our ranks, each man groped for himself a way down the steep bank to the abutment, from which a rude and trembling structure, scarcely four feet wide, and but a trifle raised above the surface of the rushing and foaming river, led from one pier to another and so on to the opposite bank. The night was pitch dark, and, to enable us to avoid a tumble into the boiling flood, fires had been built on the piers, which lighted up the torturous course of the phantom like train as it slowly crawled out of the darkness on one side, across the flimsy bridge in the ruddy glare, and into the darkness beyond.”

Later in the day, at evening dress parade, the following order was read to the regiment:

“H’dqrs. Army of the Potomac
Camp near Falmouth, Va.
April 30, 1863

It is with heartfelt satisfaction the commanding general announces to the army that the operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously fly, or come out from behind his defences and give us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him. The operations of the 5th, 11th and 12th corps have been a success of splendid achievements.

By command of MAJ. GEN. HOOKER
S. WILLIAMS, asst. adj’t. gen’l.”

William Warren, writing years after the battle, penned this addendum to the order:

“If General Lee ever saw that order he must have smiled way round to the back of his neck.”

After marching from Hartwood Church, the 17th marched throughout April 28th until it reached the area of Kelly’s Ford at the Rappahannock River. With two army corps marching on the same route traffic jams ensued and the regiment, halted a couple of miles away from the ford and soldiers being soldiers, it seemed a likely place to spend the night, so soon afterwards tents were put up. The army, being the army, of course had a different plan and the tents soon came down as the regiment moved forward once again in the middle of the night – crossing the river at around 4 AM. Fires were built to ward of the chill and a few hours of sleep were grabbed.

The photo shows Kelly’s Ford (at fairly high water, as you can see) in 2008. The modern bridge is to the left of the photo. I took this and the other photos in early May 2008 while retracing the regiment’s route to Chancellorsville. It was soon after this stop while on my way to Germanna Ford that I took an extended tour of this section of Virginia – a euphemism for “I got lost.”

Soon I’ll get all the photos posted in a series much like the route to Gettysburg shots – although there are fewer of this route thanks to modern “progress.”

150 years ago today, April 27, 1863, the 17th CVI marched out of camp and headed off to what would become there first battle at Chancellorsville. It’s fitting that the new Civil War park in Stafford, VA opens today. Their regimental camp was located nearby.

The day was “… bright and pleasant though rather too cool for comfort (and) the boys appeared in good spirits and ready for the march” wrote Private Justus Silliman of Company H. It was a day not unlike today here in the northeast. As they marched many soldiers began to discard belongings that they felt were no longer necessary, whether it be overcoats, packs, and many other smaller items. This became a scene that would play out over and over for the next few days along the route of march.

That night the regiment camped near Hartwood Church. Here is a photo of the church as it appeared when I visited in 2008.