The 9th, a severe cavalry fight took place at Beverly Ford, on the Rappahannock, and, a week later, the battle of Aldie. Everything indicated that an active, and, we hoped, a decisive campaign was about to open. The 14th, news was received that Hooker was on the move, and early the next morning this report was confirmed, for the wagon-train of the Twelfth Corps was actually parked within sight. Soon the artillery began to come in, and then the infantry. All day and night troops continued to arrive, until the great Army of the Potomac was encamped around us. The thousands of camp-fires, and the fine martial music discoursed by various bands, made it a scene surpassingly grand. A day or two after, I witnessed the artillery review by General Hooker. I have no words to describe it. * * * * * But the ever-shifting scenes of war soon change the programme, and those weary, foot-sore troops are again on the move, as yet scarcely rested from their fatiguing march from Falmouth, through heat and dust almost intolerable; but, before leaving, a kind providence sent a plentiful shower upon the thirsty earth, laying the dust and cooling the heated atmosphere; otherwise the number of those who gave out by the way must have been greatly increased. General Hooker retained his head-quarters at Fairfax a few days longer, but was soon after superseded by General Meade, who, with this mighty army, was soon engaged in the terrible conflict of Gettysburg. Hooker was soon after assigned to a command in the West, and a few months later we hear of him “fighting above the clouds” at Lookout. “Ah! see where the chief leads on his stern band, ’Mid the swift hail of death so calmly advancing, To strike the proud bulwarks by rebel hosts manned, Death certain and quick from every side glancing. ’Tis now the mid-hour of the battle’s dread light; Oh! faint soldier, say, how goes the fierce fight? Our broad starry banner, our hope and our pride, Doth it rise, doth it fall on the mountain’s dark side? “Amid the cannon’s loud roar and the shriek of the shell, The wave of fierce battle rolls louder and higher; Enveloped in smoke, hoarse shouts alone tell That our hopes are still rushing on through that fire; But see where it glides up the mountain’s dark side, Now lost in the smoke, now flaunting out wide. Oh, rebellion has fallen! let traitors despair, For our banner now floats in the mountain’s pure air.”