CHAPTER V.

THE ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL ARMY.

N a previous chapter, the daily movements of the Army of the Potomac from June 11th, when it left its encampment about Falmouth and started northward to checkmate Lee, until Sunday, 21st, when it had reached Fairfax, Centerville, and Leesburg, were given. Upon that day the different corps of that army were so posted that all the approaches to Washington south of the Potomac were completely covered. Besides this the gaps of the Blue Ridge were so strongly held that Lee was shut in the valley, and could cross the Potomac only to the west of the mountain instead of to the east, as originally intended. And now, having traced out the lines of march of each corps and division of the Confederate army in its northward movement, up to the evening of Tuesday, June 30th,-the night previous to the first day's engagement at Gettysburg, I will resume the daily record of the movements of the Federal army from the point where I left off until I shall have brought it face to face with its foe.

The paramount purpose of General Hooker was to secure the safety of the National Capital, and to effect this he was not to be diverted either by the strategy of Lee or the clamors of the people. In accordance with this purpose he tarried in the position he had taken, covering