tised and interlaced so that a small force could hold them, should the larger part be required for other operations.

While these operations were going on, Grant dispatched Wilson, with all the cavalry at command, to cut the Southside, and then the Richmond and Danville railroad. Joined by Kautz's division of Butler's army, he crossed the Weldon road at Ream's Station, and destroyed it. He then struck the Southside road, fifteen miles west of Petersburg, which he destroyed for miles. At Notaway Court House he encountered a division of Confederate cavalry, and entered on a severe, but victorious engagement. He followed the road and carried his work of destruction to Burkesville junction. Taking the Danville road he did the same as far as Roanoke crossing, where he met a force of Confederate infantry. Returning, he pushed rapidly for the south side of Petersburg, but met, at the crossing of Stony Creek, Hampton's cavalry in force. This was unexpected, for it was known that Hampton had been sent after Sheridan, on the north of the James, and his return had not been announced. A bloody engagement ensued, which lasted from late in the afternoon till daylight the next day. Wilson found he could not force the crossing, so made a detour and came to the Weldon road at Ream's Station, where to his surprise he found a strong force of Confederate infantry. Before he could turn he was attacked with great fury, and lost part of his artillery at the crossing of Hatcher's Run. Kautz made his way through a wood and succeeded in reaching the army that night. 'Wilson made a wide circuit, and came in on July 2d, after a march of three hundred miles in ten and a half days.

We have seen that Sheridan was sent north and west before Grant moved from Cold Harbor (June 7th). What had he been doing? On the 10th he crossed the North Anna at Carpenter's Ford. Here he learned that Breckinridge, who had been detached from Lee's army to take advantage of

Hunter's absence from the Shenandoah Valley, was moving up the railroad toward Gordonville, and that Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee were near Louisa Court House. On the 11th, he sent Custer to Trevylian Station, on the railroad. Torbert's division struck Hampton about three miles away, and before he could join with Fitzhugh Lee. Torbert attacked Hampton in a dense woods, and drove him back in confusion on Custer, who received him with a hot fire, capturing many of his men. Gregg attacked Fitzhugh Lee,

drove him through Louisa Court House, and pursued him till nightfall. Both Hampton and Lee now made their way to Gordonville by round-about marches.

GEN. GREGG.

Sheridan now learned that Hunter, whom he expected to meet at Charlotteville, was beyond Staunton, and moving toward Lynchburg. He was also informed that Lee was moving an infantry force in that direction. He therefore determined to return to the army, tearing up the railroads on his way. On the 12th, he recrossed the North Anna. On the 21st, he reached the White House, and a source of much needed ammunition and supplies, followed by Hampton. On the 22d, the last of Grant's wagon trains left the White House, under Sheridan's escort. The route lay across the Chickahominy at Jones' Bridge, and thence to Malvern Hill, with the intention of crossing the James to Bermuda Hundred. Hampton and Lee both turned up at Malvern Hill. Gregg fortified at St. Mary's Church, and was there attacked by both Hampton and Lee, on his flanks. The fight was a stubborn one, lasting till night. Gregg was forced to give way, and retreated, pursued by the enemy, to Charles City Court House.

The trains were turned to Douthard's Landing, where they were ferried over the James. On June 26th, Meade directed Sheridan to take position on his left, along the line of the Jerusalem plank road, which runs south between the Petersburg and Norfolk and Weldon railroads. As soon as Hampton and Lee found that Sheridan was safely south of the James, they pushed on their short line to Petersburg, and were thus enabled to cut off Wilson on his return, as already seen.

Notwithstanding these efforts to cut off the enemy's supplies, they still remained sufficient for their wants, though it cost them much time and trouble to make repairs. The weather was now exceedingly hot, and much sickness prevailed in the army. Energetic work, or any movement of troops, caused severe suffering. The earth was parched and dusty. Springs and surface waters were dry. Fortunately the strata underneath were such that quite shallow wells gave an artificial supply of very pure water.

On the 1st of July, the general position of the Federal army before Petersburg was the line already mentioned, stretching from Bermuda Hundred to the east and south of the town as far as the Jerusalem plank road. This was now a succession of fortifications, getting stronger as the town was approached and encircled. To make them stronger, to mount them more heavily, to push them closer, and especially to drive them westward to the Weldon railroad, which the Confederates were holding with grim determination, occupied the most of the month of July.

In the meantime, the North was receiving a scare. We have seen both Breckinridge and Early detached from Lee's army to operate against Hunter, and, if possible, make a diversion upon Washington. Lynchburg being a valuable point, and Hunter having gone toward it, Early made it his objective. When Breckinridge arrived at Gordonville, and learned of Hunter's destination, he, too, proceeded thither. This threw

Hunter westward, and he made his celebrated, but seemingly useless, retreat back to the valley by way of the Kanawha river and Baltimore and Ohio railroad. This left the Shenandoah Valley practically open. Early moved down it toward Shepherdstown, meeting with no opposition, except such as Sigel offered with a small command. He crossed the Potomac, delayed somewhat at Hagerstown and Frederick (July 6th-8th), and then turned to cross the Monocacy.

This move carried consternation with it. It is hardly possible that Lee thought it would eventuate in the capture of Washington. Yet it might answer the purpose of subtracting some strength from Grant, and further in redeeming for a time at least, the rich feeding ground of the Shenandoah Valley, which became more vital to him the more his other Richmond communications were threatened. As was expected, the authorities at Washington called loudly on Grant for help, which he was now fortunately able to send promptly. Ricketts' division of the Sixth Corps was sent direct, by water, to Baltimore. Wright himself, with two other divisions, was sent by transports to Washington. The Nineteenth, then arriving at Fortress Monroe from the West, was also ordered to Washington.

Wallace, in command of the Department of Maryland, had a motley army made up of hastily gathered garrisons and emergency men, all unused to discipline and fighting. He formed on the Monocacy, four miles south of Frederick, to resist Early. Fortunately, Ricketts got from Baltimore with his division, in time to make the opposition of some account. On the 9th, Early attacked, and was gallantly but ineffectually resisted by Ricketts, who fell wounded. The entire Federal force was driven back upon Baltimore.

Early now turned toward Washington, and arrived at a point north of the city, on July 11th. Wright was up with his two divisions, Getty's and Russell's, in time, and with full authority