was Lee who had chosen this as a battlefield, and in leaving it he confessed that he had been defeated in his attempt to prevent the advance of the army under General Grant.

In the two days' terrible slaughter in the Wilderness, Grant had lost nearly 18,000 men. Among the National killed were Generals Wadsworth and Hays; and Generals Getty, Gregg, Owen, Bartlett and Webb, wounded. Lee had lost fully 12,000 men Generals Jenkins and Jones killed, and Generals Longstreet (severely), Stafford (mortally), Pickett, Pegram and Hunter, wounded.

At noon it was reported to Grant that Lee was in full retreat toward Spottsylvania Court House, thirteen miles

Spottsylvania Court House.

distant. Having several hours the start, and inside line of march, he was able to secure the high ground that surrounds the Court House before the Union forces could arrive, though the pursuit was immediate and by forced marches. Arriving on Sunday, the Confederates were

found strongly entrenched. The greater part of the day, and that of the next, was spent in bringing up the Union forces and assigning them to their proper places, and locating batteries. While employed on Monday in giving directions to some of his artillerymen, the Union General Sedgwick was shot dead by a rebel sharpshooter. His loss was an irreparable one to the army, and caused sincere mourning throughout the entire army, for he was beloved

by his soldiers. Headley, in his History, speaks of his death in these words:

"Words of eulogium, which would seem like flattery if spoken of other men, are inadequate to express his virtues. A thorough soldier, a skillful general, and one of the very best of men, he was at once respected and beloved by all who knew him. Simple in heart and manner; modest as a youth; very generous to all around him; never seeking his own aggrandizement to the detriment of others, but rather preferring theirs to his own; he was the modern example of Chaucer's 'very parfit, gentil knight.' Forever green be the turf above his quiet grave at Cornwall Hollow, watered by the tears of friendship, and cherished by the pious care of patriot pilgrims."

In these movements for position, the Confederates had been unceasing in their attacks upon the advance lines, and disputed every inch of ground.

By the morning of the 10th everything was in readiness for battle, and an attack on the enemy's line to carry his entrenchments was ordered, but failed. Assault upon assault followed. Late in the afternoon a successful and memorable charge was made by the Second Brigade of the Sixth Corps. Springing over the enemy's works, they captured upward of a thousand prisoners and several cannon, but were compelled to retire from their perilous position, owing to non-support on their left

In no previous battle of the war had there been such fearful carnage. Fully ten thousand men on each side had fallen, with no decisive results. Thus ended the first day's battle of Spottsylvania. At midnight Lee withdrew to his inner line of defense.

On the 11th the battle was renewed, and was but a repetition of that of the preceding day. Assaults and counter-assaults were made with unsurpassed heroism, and met by the most stubborn resistance. By a singular coincidence,

both Generals had determined to assault each other on the same plan and at the same time. The result was a desperate effort on either side to break the line of the other.

Grant's first communication with Washington since his advance, was made in the morning of the 11th. It was as follows:

HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, May 11, 1864-8 A. M. We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result, to this time, is much in our favor.

Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater.

We have taken over five thousand prisoners by battle, while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers.

I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES All SUMMER. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General,

Commanding the Armies of the United States.

Finding the enemy's left too strong to be turned, General Grant determined to attack his right center, Generals Hancock, Barlow and Gibbon being selected to storm the enemy's works. Advancing in the early morning at a doublequick, they rushed over the rebel works, engaging in a hand-to-hand conflict. The fight was short and sharp, and ended in the capture of twenty colors, thirty guns, and three thousand prisoners-among them Generals Johnson and Stewart. The position thus gained was hotly defended during the day. Five times the rebels made savage assaults upon it only to be repulsed as many times, with terrible slaughter. General Grant, at the close of the day, sent the following dispatch to Washington:

SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, May 12, 1864.

The eighth day of the battle closes, leaving between three and four thousand prisoners in our hands for the day's work, including two general officers and over thirty pieces of artillery.