The rebels are realizing General Grant is going to have even more troops as the inevitable campaign soon begins.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 2, 1864:
From Northern Virginia.
Orange C. H.April 30.
–Our scouts report that Burnside has arrived at Alexandria preparatory to going to Grant.
[second Dispatch.]
Orange, C H., May 1.
–Burnside has certainly arrived at Alexandria, and is moving rapidly to form a junction with Grant in Culpeper. Reports from the enemy’s lines state that there is great activity in their camps, as if concentrating in Culpeper. The impression is general here that Grant will advance this week.
The roads are dry and hard, the weather fine, and our troops in excellent plight every way.
General Burnside would have started his Ninth Corps from Annapolis, where he ordered the march, even though he had reportedly requested more time. From The New-York Times April 26, 1864:
IMPORTANT FROM ANNAPOLIS.; An order form Gen. Burnside–The Ninth Army Corps About to Move.
WASHIHGTON, Monday, April 25.
The Annapolis Republican, of Saturday, contains the following:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE NINTH ARMY CORPS, ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 19, 1864.
CIRCULAR No. 3. — This army being on the eve of a movement, no applications for leaves of absence or furloughs for any length of time will be granted, excepting only in those cases where there is evidence that the reasons are of the most urgent character. No notice will be taken of any others.
By command of Maj.-Gen. BURNSIDE.
LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General.
The Republican says:
“Gen. BURNSIDE has ordered, we understand, all the troops now on the way to join him, and we also hear that he has asked the Government for further time to gather more men.
Another report says there will be no expedition from Annapolis, but that these troops are here as a Reserve Corps.
But all surmisings are now at an end, as the troops are to move to-day.”
As the fighting started the Ninth Corps would be with the Army of the Potomac but not of the Army of the Potomac because Burnside outranked Meade.
