History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1863 3O TTLE OF ANTIETAM. 745
On the 18th a part of company A was detailed for duty with Charles M.
Bache, chief engineer on the staff of General Franklin. One company was
posted for guard duty along the river, a corporal's guard being stationed at
each house below Falmouth for four miles. One squadron was detailed for
duty at army headquarters. Two companies were ordered to duty with General Reynolds, one with General Newton, three remained with General Franklin, and the rest went into camp at White Oak Church. Colonel Rush, with
companies B and G, moved from Frederick in company with the Seventeenth
Pennsylvania and joined the regiment on the 24th. On the way the force fell
in with a party of the enemy near the town of Occoquan, routing it and taking
some prisoners and arms. After the second move of Burnside, in January,
1863, which was arrested by the impassable roads, the army went into winterquarters in the valleys and along the southern slopes of the hills, stretching'
away from Acquia Creek to Falmouth. About the first of March the camp of the
Sixth was transferred from White Oak Church to Belle Plain Landing. Here,
in a dense wood, well located, a camp was established and fitted up in a style
of convenience and comfort rarely excelled. On the 6th of April the cavalry
corps was reviewed by President Lincoln. The perfection in drill and discipline exhibited on this occasion by the Sixth, with its novel arms and fine uniforms and accoutrements, attracted the especial attention and commendation
of the reviewing party.
On the 11th an order was issued directing the cavalry to prepare for an
expedition, and for that purpose to reduce baggage to light marching order.
The entire corps rendezvoused at the headquarters of General Stoneman on
the 13th, and proceeded in three divisions, under Buford, Gregg, and Averell,
the Sixth, Colonel Rush, forming an independent command, towards the Rappahannock. The Sixth had been selected for special duty on which it was to
start early on the following morning. After crossing the river with the main
command, it was to proceed rapidly to the vicinity of Richmond, destroy railroads, canals, telegraph lines, and by forced march, to join the Union columns
at Suffolk or Fortress Monroe. A few hours before starting a heavy storm set
in, and upon approaching the ford of the river at which it was to cross, the
stream was found to be so much swollen as to render a passage impracticable.
From the 15th to the 20th the rain continued to descend almost incessantly,
preventing any movement. On the morning of the latter day the regiment
moved in the direction of Warrenton. The town was reported to be in possession of the enemy. Captain Treichel with company A was sent to reconnoitre and charged through, unopposed, holding it until the command came up.
At Warrenton Junction, on the 27th, Colonel Blush took leave of the regiment,
the exposure of the last three weeks having revived a chronic disease contracted
while serving in Mexico, and forced him to leave active service. The discipline
attained by the Sixth was in no small degree due to his zeal and skill as an
organizer. The command of the regiment now devolved on Major Morris,
Lieutenant Colonel Smith being on detached duty on the staff of General
Stoneman.
Crossing the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford on the 29th, and the Rapidan
at Morton's and laccoon fords, the command proceeded without much opposition to Louisa Court House. Here the telegraph line and the Virginia Central
Railroad was struck. An operator was soon placed in the telegraph office and
received telegrams from Richmond, informing the command of the success of