BOOK I.-THE WAR ON THE RAPIDAN.
Situation of both parties at the beginning of the year 1863.-Division of
the material contained in this volume.-Hooker assumes command of
the Army of the Potomac.-Opinions of Mr. Lincoln and Halleck con-
cerning him.-Situation of the Federal army, its discouragement, deser-
tions.-Hooker revives and reorganizes it; he restores discipline.-Reg-
ular leaves of absence; abolition of the grand divisions.-Departure of the
Ninth corps; arrival of the Eleventh and Twelfth.-Changes in the per-
sonnel of the army.-Approaching departure of twenty-five thousand sol-
diers by reason of expiration of term of service.—Situation of the Con-
federate army. It has acquired experience and is full of confidence, but
it is weakened by death, wounds, desertions to the interior, and Long-
street's departure.-The latter is sent against Suffolk on the 1st of Feb-
ruary.-Recruiting and reorganization of the army.-Promotions.-Posi-
tions of the army.-New defensive works.-Inactivity of the army.-Lee
and Jackson among their soldiers.-Scattering of the cavalry.-Manou-
vres and small expeditions.-J. E. B. Stuart.-Ambush near Williams-
burg on the 7th of February, 1863.-Mosby's revenge.-A bold stroke
against Fairfax Court-house, March 8.-Encounters at Moorefield, Jan-
uary 3; at Point Pleasant, March 30.-Jones at Philippi, April, 1863.-
Skirmish at Gloucester Point, February 10; at Romney, the 16th; at
Strasburg, the 26th.-Instead of dispersing, the cavalry operates by
masses.-Fitzhugh Lee's Confederate brigade at Culpeper Court-house.-
The Union cavalry division of Averell at Morrisville. Averell crosses
the Rappahannock on the 17th of March at Kelly's Ford.-He advances
slowly toward Culpeper.-Lee, with Stuart, goes to meet him, and attacks
him.—Vigorous charge of the Confederates.-They are repulsed with