The rail line didn't pass through every point occupied by the army, and after all, these conscripts had been assigned to infantry regiments. If they weren't used to walking, they had better get used to it. Doubtless they marched on foot to reach destinations in northern Virginia.

From descriptions of other conscript assignments, recruits were assembled at camp of instruction and escorted by drill officers to their destination. Many other Confederates would've traveled the same route. Other groups included men returning from leave, sick furlough, detail assignments, former prisoners of war and other recruits.

Once they reached the camp of Rodes's Brigade, conscripts probably were assigned to different regiments. Companies depleted due to death, wounds, discharges and desertions normally received consripts to bolster their rolls. Under the law, volunteers were allowed to select their own commands. Volunteers might have come along with the the group described, but it wasn't required that they pass through camp of instruction.