1ear of Warren. Those who observed him during the actions were struck with his unpretending appearance, and his imperturbable manner. Neither danger nor responsibility seemed to affect him; but he seemed, at times, lost in thought, and occasionally, on the receipt of information, would mount his horse and gallop off to the point where he was needed, to return with equal speed to his post of observation.

Divining Lee's purpose of retreat, Grant lost nɔt a moment in irresolution, but set his army in motion on a night march fifteen miles to Todd's tavern, on his way to Spottsylvania Courthouse, whither, it was now evident, Lee was also hastening.

COMMENTS.

We may now pause for a moment to consider the desperate nature of the struggle in the Wilderness. Desperate it was in the extreme. Over a line of battle of six miles in length, in a thickly tangled country, adding confusion to slaughter, General Grant had forced his way past the enemy; had compelled him to abandon his works, positions, and plans of battle; but had neither demoralized nor thoroughly beaten him. On the other hand, Lee had no reason to boast of any success in his attacks. The rebel attack of Gordon upon Sedgwick had indeed given them some prisoners of ours, and had cut off Sedgwick's communication with Germania Ford; but as Grant had no intention whatever of returning, or of even holding the ford after his trains were safe, this apparent success of the enemy was really valueless; and when Grant withdrew Sedgwick, Lee, in concern about his right flank, had neither time, men, nor disposition to occupy Germania Ford.

Indeed, after the battle of the Wilderness, Lee, for a moment uncertain how severe Grant's losses were, thought we were retreating to Fredericksburg, to cover Washington. He was not long in doubt, for Burnside and Sedgwick were soon found to be in motion by the old Chancellorsville road towards Spottsylvania.

He had also other means of gaining information. Spies and traitors were all around our headquarters. Our signals were discovered and repeated; and, with a rapidity that savored of magic and diabolic arts, no sooner had an order been issued by Grant, than it was known at Lee's headquarters. On the other hand, we had no such information. There were not in the rebel ranks, wicked as they were, men as vile as Northern traitors, who, while wearing the uniform of the Republic, li ing on its bounty, and sworn to protect its glorious banner, were in secret league with the enemy, and doing more to defeat Grant's plans than did the men who were arrayed in battle against him.

LOSSES.

Our losses in these battles were not less than fifteen thousand men. Without means of accurate knowledge, we believe those of the rebels to have been less. Among those whom we could ill afford to lose were Generals Wadsworth and Alexander Hays, shot dead while gallantly leading the advance to repair the breach in our line on the afternoon of the 5th,-the former, a remarkable example of self-sacrificing patriotism. Past the prime of life, rich in the world's goods, of the highest social station, and distinguished in a political career, he needed nothing to gratify an honorable ambition; but, a loyal and loving son of the Republic, he had taken up arms to insure her integrity, and he gave, as he was ever ready to give, his life in vindication of the noble cause.

To an equally ardent patriotism, General Hays added the noble ambition of an educated and experienced soldier. Frank, brave, quick, and energetic, he was the model of a commander. His men loved him, and followed him, because he not only commanded, but led them; and although not in the highest position, we sustained no greater loss on that day than that of the noble Hays.

Among our wounded were Hancock (slightly), Getty, Gregg, Owen, Bartlett, and Carroll.

The rebels suffered also in the loss of generals. Longstreet, shot, they say, by one of his own men, was thrown out of the field for the rest of the year; and, with no disparagement to others, he was their best corps commander. John M. Jones, well remembered as one of the most efficient officers at West Point for many years, Jenkins, and Stafford, were killed. Pegram, Pickett, and Hunter were wounded.

DRAWN BATTLE.

In brief epitome, we may say that, considered in its immediate result, the battle of the Wilderness was a drawn battle. In the light of after events it does not so appear. It was the grand and bloody initiative of a splendid campaign, in which Lee was to be driven to Richmond, and eventually surrounded and captured there. We have the highest authority for saying that Grant was not for a moment dismayed, nor even for a moment doubted the final result.

CHAPTER XXIX.

ON TO RICHMOND.

SUSPENSE AT THE NORTH.-LEE'S RETREAT.-SEDGWICK KILLED.-WRIGHT TO SIXTH CORPS.-ATTACK ON SPOTTSYLVANIA. HANCOCK'S FEAT OF ARMS.-THE AFTER-BATTLE. OUR LOSSES UP ΤΟ THE 12TH.-WHO RETREATS, GRANT OR LEE?-THE LAND AHEAD.-A NEW FLANKING MOVEMENT.

SUSPENSE AT THE NORTH.

THROUGHOUT the country, the people, uninformed of Grant's plans, were in a state of great excitement; and, schooled as they were to expect disasters in Virginia, they would not have been astonished had his army made a "masterly retreat” across the Rapidan. The wild excitement in Washington during those battles cannot be described. It extended to the President and the War Department. High functionaries sat up all night to receive intelligence from the field. Orders were given to the outposts, mostly guarded by the Invalid Corps, to arrest all fugitives, not to permit a single man to enter the defences of Washington, and to put all officers who should be found retreating, in irons. The crowd of fugitives was great and sickening, and among the officers thus ironed and brought to the War Department, it is a significant fact that there were four colonels: so that at the very moment Grant was carrying out his plans of advance, and before his dispatches could be received, it was feared that his whole army was in retreat. This horrible fear and suspense were, however, soon dis

pelled. The good news came, and with it came a call for reenforcements. Lee was not driven from the field in rout. This hope, if it had been entertained, was not realized; but the country breathed freely at the assurance that, in default of this, Grant was pushing him slowly but surely down to his defences at Richmond. Every available man was sent to the front. The heavy artillery regiments, which had been recruited for the purpose of forming garrisons, were pushed forward, and the last volunteers took their place. The President of the United States, now that the first suspense had been removed, proposed public prayers and thanksgiving, in token of our gratitude to God, and our dependence upon his mercies.*

LEE'S RETREAT.

At daybreak on Saturday, the 7th of May, hostilities were again resumed. Our artillery opened upon the enemy's positions, and skirmishers were thrown out. It soon became evident that battle tactics were for a time ended, and that grand tactics would be the order of the day. And here it should be observed how closely the minds of Lee and Grant divined and followed the plans of each other. Grant, as we have said, had abandoned Germania Ford, and withdrawn Sedgwick, marching him to the rear and left. Here seemed to be a chance for Lee to cut his communications; but this very movement of troops to our left compelled the enemy to pause, and to take care of his right flank and his own communications.

* EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1864.

TO THE FRIENDS OF UNION AND LIBERTY :

. Enough is known of the army operations within the last five days to claim our especial gratitude to God. While what remains undone demands our most sincere prayers to and reliance upon Him (without whom all human effort is vain), I recommend that all patriots, at their homes, in their places of public worship, and wherever they may be, unite in common thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.