Camp woke up at 2 ½ o’clock. Moved at daylight. Commenced the ascent of the mountain (Fisher Gap, Blue Ridge) at 5 ½ o’clock. Reached the top of the mountain at 9 ½ o’clock. Very hard march on horses. 20 days without cover. (Mem. 6 miles up from Luray valley & 7 miles down opposite side.) Camped now 5 miles from foot of the mountain & 5 miles from Madison Courthouse. Dropped 2 horses today. Rained very hard this evening.