April 3, 1863 Guarding a 20-mile front.

On the 2d of April the Thirteenth was moved five miles down the Occoquan, and camped about a mile north of the river, opposite the village of Occoquan, in a fine open field on the farm of one Widow Violet, after whom the camp was named. ... The duty of the Thirteenth was to guard the ferry at Occoquan village, and the several fords up to Davis's Ford, three miles below Wolf Run Shoals. The Twelfth and Fourteenth regiments guarded the line from there to Yates's Ford, two miles 

below Union Mills, on Bull Run, and the Fifteenth and Sixteenth from there 

to Blackburn's Ford ~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 430-31 (Burlington Vt 1888) 

Mills at Occoquan 1863

“April 3. Early the Colonel rides around to discover the best site for a camp and one company is sent on picket. By ten we are carrying our things towards the newly selected spot,-an open, level field, in sight of the Potomac; and yet pines are growing, now in thick clumps, and now more scatteringly, over the most of the plantation. The camp is laid out regularly. There are twenty rows of parallel tents; two for each company, with streets a rod wide. A little in the rear of these, and forming right angles with them, is the long line of tents belonging to the captains and lieutenants; next, those of the field officers; then you come to the hospital; and still on, among the trees, are hitched the horses and mules. Many lug, on their backs, poles for their bunks, from the last night's encampment. At the usual time we have dress parade, and also our mail.” ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment,  The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

“Friday 3rd. … To-day Reg't moves to the new camp, according to orders. About ½ Reg't move to-day. We remain tranquil in old quarters.” ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 98, Co. C, 12th Regiment [Col. Farnham had ordered the camp of the 12th relocated at the Shoals for health reasons..}


“April 3rd. Moved our head quarters out to the Shoals, about seven miles. Have got to sleep on the mud to-night. Have no board or dry ground.” ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment