HOOKER HALTS ON THE BANKS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
General Hooker took command of the army, but no advance was
made; the condition of the army and the long winter were his excuses,
but spring opened and but one engagement broke the long silence of the
lines along the banks of the Rappahannock.
That was on the 17th of March, when a Federal force of 3,000 crossed
the river at Kelley's Ford and advanced to within six miles of Culpeper
Court House, when they were engaged by the brigade of General Fitzhugh
Lee. The engagement continued some hours, but at last the
Federals were driven from the field after having inflicted a loss of one
hundred upon the Confederates, among which number was the gallant
Pelham, of Alabama, the "boy Major." He was but twenty-two years
of age, and had participated in all the battles of Virginia. His remains
were taken to Richmond, where for awhile they lay in state in the
Capitol, where they were covered with floral tributes.
