Crossing the Potomac into Virginia

Monday, July 20, 1863

The Army of the Potomac continued their pursuit of General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Virginia. The Twentieth Massachusetts, on the move with the Army of the Potomac, arrived at Sandy Hook last Wednesday and made camp for two days. On Saturday the Twentieth crossed the Potomac River near Harper's Ferry and moved through Hillsborough, Virginia. After traveling through Woodgrove the Twentieth made camp at Bloomfield this afternoon. ¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 301-2.

In Pursuit of Lee

Saturday, July 11, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts departed from Gettysburg on Sunday, July 5 in pursuit of the Army of Virginia and arrived at Two Taverns that evening. On Tuesday the Twentieth Massachusetts crossed into Maryland and arrived in Taneytown. Moving rapidly the Twentieth arrived in Frederick City on Wednesday, in Rohresrsville on Thursday, and in Tilghmanton on Friday, and formed into line with the Second Corps today near the Potomac River.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 302.

Arrival at Edwards Ferry

Friday, June 26, 1863

The Second Corps reached the Potomac River today, crossing at Edwards Ferry. This location held painful memories for the Twentieth Massachusetts, who remembered their first conflict at Ball's Bluff nearly two years earlier. During the evening the Twentieth Massachusetts performed picket duty along familiar locations on the Potomac River.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 263-4.