was to be engaged at all important points at once and continuously, thereby preventing the shifting of troops from one point to another. They were to be beaten if possible, but if that could not be done, then they must be worn out by constant shocks and attrition-in the latter case force of numbers alone would in the end produce the coveted result. The sequel proved the wisdom of General Grant's plans and purposes as the director and supervisor of all the campaigns.

CHAPTER XII.

THE BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS.

On the 23d of March General Grant, accompanied by Mrs. Grant and his eldest son, General Rawlins and three other members of his staff, arrived in Washington. The eyes of the whole nation were upon him. For the first time the army of the United States was so unified that it could be handled to the best advantage. General Grant was given unlimited scope. He had left his trusted Generals Sherman, Thomas, McPherson, and others of lesser note, in the West, and was about to take command in person of the veteran Army of the Potomac. He at once placed the dashing and fearless Sheridan, hitherto in obscurity, in command of the cavalry service.

The Army of the Potomac was at once reorganized; the Corps were consolidated and reduced to three-the Second, Fifth and Sixth. The Second, commanded by Major-General Winfield Scott Hancock, with Generals Gibbon, Barlow, Birney and Barr in command of divisions, and Generals Webb, Owen, Ward, Hayes and Mott of brigades. The Fifth Corps, commanded by the brilliant and skillful Major-General G. K. Warren; his division commanders were Generals Wadsworth, Crawford, Robinson and Griffin, and brigades under Ayres, Cutter, Baxter, Barnes and Rice-all veterans. The Sixth Corps was under command of Major General John Sedgwick, one of

the most popular officers of the army. He had more than once been offered command of the Army of the Potomac, but his modesty caused him to decline it. His corps had won a position second to none in the army, and fully deserved the epithet which it received as the "Bloody Sixth." He was ably assisted by Generals Wright, Getty and Prince as division commanders, with Generals Torbert, Shaler, Wheaton, Neill, Eustis and Russell, and Colonels Upton, Burnham and Grant, in command of brigades. Brigadier-General Henry J. Hunt was Chief of Artillery. General James C. Duane commanded a brigade of engi neer troops and pontoon trains. The quartermaster's department and immense pack of supply wagons was directed by Brigadier-General Rufus Ingalls. The whole, under the command of Major General George G. Meade.

GEORGE G. MEADE.

The latter part of April the Ninth Corps, commanded by General A. E. Burnside, joined the Army of the Potomac at Culpepper. This corps was composed in part of colored troops, who were now for the first time sent to the front. Reinforcements had been pouring in during the month of April. Everything was now in readiness for the

army to move, and the order was given to advance.

On the afternoon of the 3d of May, 1864, the tents of the army were struck, and at night the troops began

crossing the Rapidan at Germania and Ely's Fords. Before the close of the following day, over one hundred thousand men had crossed the river and were marching toward the Wilderness. This is a wild, desolate tract of country, situated in Spottsylvania County, about five miles broad and ten miles long. It is an immense jungle, covered with a thick, almost impenetrable underbrush, cut up with ravines, preventing the movement of artillery and cavalry.

General Lee, ever watchful, had purposely allowed the Union forces to advance without giving battle, having determined to attack Grant in the Wilderness, where he and his men were perfectly familiar, hoping to be able to destroy his army in the opening of the campaign. Hidden in the forests, Lee could mass his troops and hurl them on any point of the Union line which he chose to attack.

About noon May 5, Warren, who held the advance of Grant's army, was furiously attacked by the enemy, fighting with the most determined bravery. The Union forces, largely outnumbered at this point, slowly fell back, contesting every foot of ground. Receiving reinforcements, they rallied and drove the rebels back with great slaughter. Before night, the enemy having been repulsed at all points, General Grant ordered an immediate advance along the entire line, but darkness intervened before the final arrangements were completed. The losses during this bloody conflict had been terrible, and the hospitals were crowded. Orders were sent out for a renewal of the battle at daylight. "Attack along the whole line at 5 in the morning." Lee had made similar preparations, and at a quarter before 5 in the morning of Friday, made a furious onset on Sedgwick, who held the extreme right. Undismayed by this attack, Grant's entire line advanced precisely at the

time he had ordered, and steadily drove the enemy in confusion nearly two miles. The contest was desperate, the rebels fighting with reckless heroism, yet unable to resist the valor of our soldiers.

The attack on Sedgwick had proven only a feint, the real attack being made by Longstreet on Hancock, who held our left. All efforts to dislodge him proved ineffectual. Again and again were these columns flung upon our lines with terrific power, occasionally pressing back our men some distance. In seeking to stem the tide, the beloved General Wadsworth, of New York, was shot in the

ROBERT E. LEE.

heart. Amid fearful car

nage our men again rallied, forcing the enemy back with heavy loss, taking up their former position. Night closed upon the bloody scene; neither party had gained a decided triumph; the Confederate leader had found a foe who had come out to fight, and one that would take no step backward. The Union commander was

at his headquarters, calm and determined. To a member of his staff he had remarked: "I notice that these Southerners fight desperately at first; yet, when we hang on for a day or two, we whip them awfully."

On Saturday morning there was some slight skirmishing, but neither party seemed willing to attack. It had not been Grant's intention to fight in the Wilderness. It