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Orange Court House

These are summaries of the battles. For first hand news reports, note the dates and check our "From the Front" section for more detail.

Little transpired worthy of note until July 24th, when the Second Regiment of the Iron Brigade, with their pet Battery B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, and a part of the Third Indiana Cavalry, under the command of General Gibbon, marched toward Gordonsville. At night we bivouacked near Chancellorsville. The next day we proceeded on the plank road until about 3 P.M.

When within four miles of Orange Court House, learning the enemy are in force, we halt for the night. The day following we move forward. A company of rebel cavalry several times charge upon the rear guard, but were handsomely repulsed without loss.

Orange Court House
On the 24th of July, the brigade left this place upon a reconnaissance toward Orange Court House, to acertain the force of the enemy then gathering on General Pope's front. The command encountered the rebel pickets on the 26th, a mile from Orange Court House. A skirmish with the enemy's cavalry ensued, in which the rebels were routed, and a few prisoners captured, when, the object of the expedition being accomplished, a return was ordered.
Wisconsin in the War, Love, 1866

At night we go into camp in Wilderness, reach camp on the 27th, after having marched over eighty miles to ascertain the purpose of the rebels gathered in the vicinity of Gordonsville. On the 29th our camp is moved to escape malaria that is prevalent along this river this season of the year.

Aug. 5th again off on another reconnaissance, this time to intercept the rebel’s connections on the Virginia Central railroad. Iron brigade in the advance Aug. 6th at early hour, advance to Beaver Dam Station to Matt river, Stuart’s cavalry harassing our rear.
A full thirty miles march that day. Aug. 7th march to Spottsylvania Court House to assist the return on the Sixth regiment. About sunset they return, successful in the main object of their expedition, having burned a bridge on the Virginia Central Railroad, destroyed Frederick Hall Station and tore up a portion of railroad track; march a part of the way to Fredericksburg and bivouac.

Aug. 10th. Break camp, send the sick toward Washington and march to Harnwood Church up to the Rappahannock, cross the river at Alles Ford and bivouac. Distance twenty miles. Aug. 11th march at an early hour through Stevensburg, leaving Culpeper Court House to the right, pass on and join the main body of Gen. Pope’s army now massing at this point. Distance twenty-five miles. On the 9th inst. Gen. Hanks had met and engaged the rebels at this place under Gen. Jackson, and when in force on Cedar Mountain immediately in front, but on the night of the 12th they had fallen back.