Ely’s Germanna and United States Fords all saw federal troops pass over them on those fateful days in early May. U.S. Ford is on private property and Germanna Ford is a few miles from the battlefield so I conglomerated the various ford experiences with the recommendation that the reader of this sit at Ely’s Ford, as seen on the park map.
The first part of March we moved camp to what is known as United States Mine Ford. This is where people did got out gold long time ago. We remained here until April 28th when we had t evacuate this place in a hurry on account of a large force of the enemy came on all of the sudden.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
The enemy took advantage of the bridge which we had just completed over the Rapidan River at what is known as Germanna Ford. (Lee was planning an offensive move north via the Germanna Ford thus the 12th built a bridge to help the army cross the river.) Captain J.E. Tyler had been in charge of a detail to do this job. Just as he had it completed and about to return to camp gathering up tools, etc., the enemy came up and captured nearly the whole guard. Some few escaped and gave us warning of the enemy coming on us with a large force.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
They were at work building a bridge across the river, and all together, the workmen and guards, they numbered a little over a hundred men. They had made good calculations for defense but very poor ones for a retreat. They had a high bank to shelter them from out side of the river, and a few men might have held the ford against a large force. The river is narrow, not over seven hundred yards wide. They had the advantage of us in position, as we had nothing whatever to shelter us. But they chose not to fight, and to run away was out of the question. A few tried the latter plan, however, and paid for it with their lives, as every one that attempted it was shot down. After a few shots had been exchanged, they threw down their arms and came over to us. We took at this place ninety-six prisoners, among which was one captain, two lieutenants and a major.
Van R. Willard, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Ruger’s Brigade, Williams Division, 12th Corps
Crossed the river at the U.S. Ford on a pontoon bridge, we passed the rebel works that lined the banks and halted for a short rest. The mule train that was used in lieu of regular wagon train to carry our provision passed us on their way to the front.
In the early part of the night word was passed round that if any man wished to write home, he had about ten minutes to do it, as the mail carrier would be around about that teem to take them. As with would probably be the last time that I would have a chance to write, as a big battle was expected, I threw myself flat on the grass and wrote a short letter home by the light o the moon, getting it finished just the latter carrier came round..
Private Alfred Bellard, 5th New Jersey, 2nd division Berry, 3rd brigade 3rd Corps
The retreat over the river began on the night of the fifth. Up to our knees in slush we sought to find or way to the fords, it frequently happened that men striking their feet against the covered stumps stumbled forward into the slough, covering themselves with mud. It was a horrid night. The men were disheartened and worn out, but could not help laughing, as man after man dove under and came up with his new uniform of soft mother earth. A battery passed, on the caisson of which sat a man covered in a tarpaulin, and lo, he was singing to himself such familiar tunes and melodies as “Home Sweet Home.” It seemed supremely ridiculous that nay one should sing under such circumstances, so the boys hooted and jeered him, crying “Catch him,” “Stop Him,” and the line but still the song under the tarpaulin went on.
Lieutenant Clay McCauley, 126th Pennsylvania, Tyler’s brigade, Humphrey’s division, 2nd corps
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