Early in March, Gen. Sigel was as signed to the command of the forces in the department of Western Virginia, for the purpose of co-operating with Grant by way of the Shenandoah Val force, and important interests depended the Army of the Potomac, which, un- * In referring to Gen. Meade's position, Gen. Grant says, with evident consideration and fairness: "I may here state that, commanding all the armies as I'did, I tried, as far as possible, to leave Gen. Meade in independent command of the Army of the Potomac. My instructions for that army were all through him, and were general in their nature, leaving all the details and the execution to him. The campaigns that followed proved him to be the right man in the right place His commanding always in the presence of an officer superior to him in rank, has drawn from him much of that public attention that his zeal and ability entitle him to, and which he would otherwise have received."-Gen. Grant's "Report," p. 12. Meade, the commander of the Army ted strength of the four corps gave Grant a moveable *For the letter of instruction addressed to Eutler, On the 21st of April, the governors of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, tendered to the government the services of 100,000 men for one hundred days. The object was, to afford valuable help in garrisoning the forts, cities, etc, and thus to relieve the veteran troos occupied in this kind of duty. The president very gladly accepted the offer, and directions were given According to Mr. Swinton's statements "the uni- to carry the same into effect Cu. IX.] 1864. THE ARMY CROSSES THE RAPIDAN. 425 above, moving by his left. Each pre- May. Accordingly, on Tuesday, May sented advantages over the other, with 3d, the Army of the Potomac broke corresponding objections. By crossing camp, and with six days' rations began above, Lee would be cut off from all its march. About two P.M., Gregg's chance of ignoring Richmond or going cavalry division, with a part of the north on a raid. But if we pontoon train, moved towards Richardstook this route all we did would ville, and were occupied in repairing have to be done whilst the rations we the roads to Ely's Ford. Wilson's cavstarted with held out; besides, it sepa- alry division performed a similar serrated us from Butler, so that he could vice with reference to Germania Ford, not be directed how to co-operate. If eight miles above; and about midwe took the other route, Brandy Sta- night, the means of crossing having tion could be used as a base of supplies been secured, Hancock, with the 2d until another was secured on the York corps, moved to Ely's Ford, and passed or James Rivers. Of these, however, with his entire force over the Rapidan it was decided to take the lower route." by daylight. Warren began to move The lieutenant-general took the ear- at the same time, and Sedgwick followliest opportunity of visiting and inspect- ed closely in his steps. During the ing the Army of the Potomac, and also day, May 4th, the crossing was effected the forces under Butler in command at by the three corps without opposition. Fortress Monroe. During the month Burnside, with the 9th corps, advanced of April, preparations of every kind to the banks of the Rapidan, but did were actively carried forward. Lee's not cross over, being held as a reserve. army held its long established lines," Before night" (on the 4th of May), formidably entrenched in his most advantageous position south of the Rapidan, with his headquarters at Orange Court House. To the north of the Rapidan, with its line of communication by the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, lay the Army of the Potomac, threatening its adversary and guarding the approaches to Washington. Grant's headquarters was established at Cul-garded as a great success, and it re pepper. Owing to the weather and bad con dition of the roads, operations were deJayed until the beginning of May, when, everything being in readiness, and the roads favorable, orders were given for a general movement of all the armies, to take place as early as the 4th of VOL. IV-54. says Grant, speaking of this crossing, "the whole army was across the Rapidan (the 5th and 6th corps crossing at Germania Ford, and the 2d corps at Ely's Ford, the cavalry, under MajorGeneral Sheridan, moving in advance), with the greater part of its trains, numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with but slight opposition. This I re Although Grant thus felicitated him- amid the thick chapparal, our men self, it speedily became evident that a would be at every disadvantage, and severe struggle must he had with the he might inflict a deadly blow upon rebels before any forward movement them. Accordingly, on the morning could be made by the Army of the of the 4th of May, Lee sent forward Potomac. The line of march, after two corps of his army, Eweil's by the crossing the Rapidan, led through that turnpike, and Hill's by the plank road, region known as the Wilderness, a wild to make an immediate attack. and dreary tract, covered with dense Early on Thursday morning, May 5th, undergrowth, scrub oaks, and the like, the rebels were in position, and the with various narrow cross-roads, tho- battle began about noon. Both Grant roughly known to the rebels, and and Meade were that morning at Old affording a capital place for deadly at- Wilderness Tavern; but neither seems tack upon our men. It was along its to have realized that the rebels seriousgloomy margin that Hooker, a year ly contemplated battle at this point. before, had fought and lost the battle It was the object of Lee in advancing of Chancellorsville (see p. 285). Han- on the cross-roads to divide the army cock moved in the direction of Chancellorsville; Warren, having crossed above, was a few miles farther to the west at Old Wilderness Tavern; and Sedgwick was in his rear, to ward the river. The army of Lee, occupying the line from Orange to Louisa Court House, was in a position to operate on the flank of Grant's forces in their advance to the open country beyond. There were two roads from Orange Court House, the Orange and Fredericksburg plank road, and the turnpike, running eastward and strik-ness." ing Grant's line of march at right Lee's plan was a bold and spirited angles. The rebel general, with a bold-one; but Grant, though taken rather at ness and vigor unexpected, resolved to a disadvantage, met the emergency as advance rapidly upon our army, and compel a battle in a region where he would have all the advantage, and where, as artillery could not be used 1864. gard to the trains really began when the army reach ed the Wilderness, being there shut up in the restrict ed triangle between the Rapidan and Rappahannock." -"Array of the Potomac," p. 416. and cut off its communications with the river, with the hope, doubtless, in thus striking it on the march before its position was established, of dealing it a blow from which it could hardly, if at all, recover, and continue its advance. Grant, in his report, says briefly, "The battle raged furiously all day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as the corps could be got upon the field, which, considering the density of the forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable prompt best he could. There were two main |