Across the Rappahannock

[SWMODave]

Harper's Weekly Feb 28, 1863
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It is difficult to read about the AONV or the AOP without coming across the mention of the Rappahannock River. For months at a time, it was the dividing line between the contesting armies. When one hears stories of horse trading between enemies across the river, there is a good chance it was this river. Most stores are well known, but I would like to share a few that may not be.

Newly promoted Frederick Hitchcock of the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in his book "War From The Inside" wrote about his new duty of "Officer of the Day".

The " Johnnies" were not without their fun, as well as our boys. Several times I was saluted by their pickets as officer of the day. The Army regulations require the sentry nearest the picket reserve, on seeing the officer of the day approach, to call out, " Turn out the guard, officer of the day." Thereupon the officer of the picket parades his reserves, which presents arms and is then inspected by the officer of the day. The red sash worn crosswise over the shoulder is the insignia of the 'officer of the day'. Several times that winter, as I was riding along our line, a rebel sentry yelled, " Turn out the guard, officer of the day," and a sergeant paraded his guard, faced towards me across the river, and presented arms. Of course, I lifted my cap in acknowledgment of the compliment, even though it was a bit of deviltry on their part. This indicated a grave want of discipline on the part of their troops.

And on a more somber note.... from the magazine Tidbits 1884 titled "One Touch Of Nature Makes The Whole World Kin"

In the early spring of 1863, when the Confederate and Federal armies were confronting each other on the opposite hills of Stafford and Spottsylvania, two bands chanced one evening, at the same hour, to begin to discourse sweet music on either banks of the river. A large crowd of soldiers of both armies gathered to listen to the music, the friendly pickets not interfering, and soon the bands began to answer each other. First the band on the northern bank would play "Star Spangled Banner," "Hail Columbia," or some other national air, and at its conclusion the"boys in blue" would cheer most lustily. And then the band on the southern bank would respond with "Dixie" or "Bonnie Blue Flag," or some other Southern melody, and the "boys in gray" would attest approbation with the old Confederate yell. But presently one of the bands struck up, in sweet and plaintive notes, which were waited across the beautiful Rappahannock, were caught up at once by the other band, and swelled into a grand anthem, which touched every heart, "Home, sweet Home!" At the conclusion of this piece there went up a simultaneous shout from both sides of the river, cheer followed cheer, and those hills, which had so recently resounded with hostile guns, echoed and re-echoed the glad acclaim. A chord had been struck, responsive to which the hearts of enemies–enemies then—could beat in unison ; and, on both sides of the river,

Something down the soldier's cheek
Washed off the stains of powder.

May you enjoy your weekend and .... welcome home

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