July 25th we were ordered to join the force of General Pope, then marching via Warrenton to the Rapidan river. Proceeding by rail to the former point the brigade was reorganized and attached to Banks’ Second corps, afterwards changed to the Twelfth army corps, as the First brigade of General Augur’s Second division. After a few days of “masterly inactivity” we marched in the direction of Luray. Debouching to the left on the road leading southward toward the Rapidan, we soon reached Little Washington and went into camp. While here the troops were reviewed by Generals Pope and Banks, who complimented our brigade very highly upon its perfection in drill and discipline. General Tyler was here ordered to Washington, and Brigadier-general John W. Geary, late colonel of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania infantry volunteers, was placed in command of our brigade. His regiment and Knapp’s battery were also assigned to the brigade. A forward movement in the direction of Culpeper Court House, Virginia (on the Rapidan), was begun on August 8th. Here the Confederates were preparing defences, and at Cedar Mountain, some seven miles to the southwest of our position, they were strongly fortified. CHAPTER VI. 1862. Cedar Mountain--Battle--Severe Loss of Life--Forward to Alexandria. August 8th, the regiment moved at 2 o’clock, advanced to Culpeper Court House, and went into camp; and at 10:40, on the morning of August 9th, moved forward in the direction of Cedar mountain. Halted a short time, and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was sent to the right on an eminence as signal guard. The remainder of the brigade soon advanced, halting at intervals, as the day was insufferably hot (several men died this day of sunstroke). At last, passing through a piece of timber, we approached the open field with a rolling country in our front, and at 1:30, while making preparations for dinner (near a fine spring of water), skirmishing and artillery firing was heard on our right, which continued at intervals until 3:45, when the rebels appeared in heavy force, ready for battle, and the Union lines were formed without delay. The Twenty-ninth regiment (commanded by Captain W. F. Stevens, of Company B,) was ordered to advance and take position in rear of a battery which had been placed on a ridge. Here the regiment took position, the right resting on the road, and the left extending into the field, covered from the enemy by the hill on which the battery was placed. The Twenty-ninth, with other regiments of the brigade, was about on the right of the left wing of the line in open field, while the right wing extended across the road, and into the timber. The regiment remained in this position, supporting the battery, and receiving a heavy fire from the rebel artillery in our front. Here several men were wounded.