May 25th, 1862 - Remained in this camp until May 25th, during which time Gen. McDowell was concentrating his command at this point for the purpose of joining McClellan's right by the land route. On this date the troops broke camp and crossed the river, halting at Masshonnax creek, eight and a half miles south of Fredericksburg. The further advance of our column was checked on the receipt of the intelligence that Jackson had moved up the valley. Shields' division, of McDowell's corps, was at once put in motion towards the valley, and our brigade on the 29th followed in the same route, leaving a small command at Fredericksburg. Marched sixteen miles on the road to Catlett's.

May 30th, 1862 - resumed the march on the 30th, and camped four miles from Catlett's. Marched twenty miles.

On the 31st reached Catlett's, took cars via Manassas Junction and Gap Railroad, proceeded to Front Royal, arriving there during a heavy rain storm.

June 1st, 1862 - on the afternoon of June 1st bivouacked on the roadside. At 3 A.M., June 2d, ordered on board cars again. On reaching the bridge across the Shenandoah the engineer of the train refused to cross until daylight. At daybreak, on examination, it was discovered that the timbers of the bridge were nearly cut through. With less caution on the part of the engineer a terrible disaster would have occurred.

By this time Jackson commenced his retreat down the valley, closely followed by Shields. Gen. McDowell started our column towards Fredericksburg to resume the original plan of reinforcing McClellan. Proceeding as far as Haymarket by rail we disembarked and waited until the balance of the division had come up.

June 6th, 1862 - Marched to Warrenton ; distant twelve miles.

On the 8th moved on to Warrenton Junction ; distant eleven miles.

On the 9th to about five miles beyond Catlett's Station, and went into camp. Here was received news of Shields' reverse in the valley, and the brigade was held at this point until the 14th , awaiting developments.

June 14th, 1862 - On that day marched to Fredericksburg, re-occupying the old camp ; distance twenty-six miles.

July 23d, 1862 - On July 23d two companies of the regiment (B and C) accompanied the Harris light cavalry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick, on an expedition in direction of Richmond, to beyond Po river returning to camp on the 25th inst. The expedition was eminently successful, destroying a rebel cavalry camp, railroad cars, and a large quantity of ammunition, besides capturing a number of prisoners.

August 5th, 1862 - From this time until August 5th nothing of importance occurred, detachments from the regiment occasionally figuring in a scouting party beyond the Rappahannock. On the morning of the 5th the brigade and division went on a reconnaissance as far as Spottsylvania Court House ; distant seventeen miles. We were divided into two columns, and advanced on different roads. The one to which our regiment was attached met with no enemy ; the other column had a brisk skirmish with the enemy's cavalry, without much loss on either side. Returned to camp on the 8th by a different route, marching about fifteen miles, accomplishing the object of our reconnaissance.

About this time became part of the army of Northern Virginia, under Gen. Pope, who, with the greater part of his army, was at Culpepper. The battle of Cedar Mountain occurring on the 9th, and as the battle was expected to be continued on the following days, Hatch's brigade was dispatched at daylight, (Sunday) the 10th , to reinforce him. We traveled along the northern bank of the Rappahannock until we reached Ellis' ford, which the troops waded, waist deep, holding cartridge box above their heads to prevent damage to the ammunition. On reaching the opposite bank halted for the night ; distance marched, twenty miles.