"To make a direct attack from either wing would cause a slaughter of our men that even success would not justify. To turn the enemy by his right, between the two Annas, is impossible, on account of the swamp upon which his right rests. To turn him by the left leaves Little River, New Found River, and South Anna River, all of them streams presenting considerable obstacles to the movement of our army, to be crossed. I have determined, therefore, to turn the enemy's right by crossing at or near Hanover Town. This crosses all three streams at once and leaves us still where we can draw supplies."

Although General Grant gives a reason for not attacking Lee on his left flank, it is not the reason we imagined he would give. It is possible that, had it not been for the three rivers mentioned he would have attacked at the point Lee so cleverly offered. It may be that he thought Lee whipped and that he could select his choice of positions on the James River, as would seem from the following extract of the letter above mentioned:

"Lee's army is really whipped.

A battle with them outside of intrenchments cannot be had. . I may be mistaken, but I feel that our success over Lee's army is already assured. . . ."

General Grant did not at that time contemplate the pounding the Army of the Potomac would yet have to undergo before Lee's army was whipped. Feeling satisfied, however, that he was master of the situation, after having employed the Fifth and Sixth Corps in tearing up and destroying a great portion of the Central and the Fredericksburg railroads, he issued the following order:

"Major-General MEADE,

"Commanding A. P.:

"QUARLES MILLS, VA., May 25, 1864.

"Direct Generals Warren and Wright to withdraw all their teams and artillery, not in position, to the north side of the river

to-morrow. Send that belonging to General Wright's corps as far on the road to Hanover Town as it can go, without attracting attention to the fact. Send with it Wright's best division or division under his ablest commander. Have their places filled up in the line so if possible the enemy will not notice their withdrawal. Send the cavalry to-morrow afternoon, or as much of it as you may deem necessary, to watch and seize, if they can, Littlepage's bridge and Taylor's ford, and to remain on one or other side of the river at these points until the infantry and artillery all pass. As soon as it is dark to-morrow night start the division which you withdraw first from Wright's corps to make a forced march to Hanover Town, taking with them no teams to impede the march. At the same time this division starts, commence withdrawing all of the Fifth and Sixth Corps from the south side of the river, and march them for the same place. The two divisions of the Ninth Corps not now with Hancock may be moved down the north bank of the river where they will be handy to support Hancock if necessary, or will be that much on their road to follow the Fifth and Sixth Corps. Hancock should hold his command in readiness to follow as soon as the way is clear for him. To-morrow it will leave nothing for him to do, but as soon as he can he should get all his teams and spare artillery on the road or roads which he will have to take. As soon as the troops reach Hanover Town, they should get possession of all the crossings they can in that neighborhood. I think it would be well to make a heavy cavalry demonstration on the enemy's left to-morrow afternoon also.

"U. S. GRANT,
"Lieutenant-General."

We have quoted this order in full, not only to show the movement intended, but that it may be seen how much General Grant entered into details, and how little he left for the exercise of judgment on the part of General Meade, the former having asserted (p. 118, Memoirs) that "I tried to make General Meade's position as nearly as possible what it would have been if I had been in Washington or any other place away from his command."

Fourth Epoch.

TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK-BETHESDA CHURCH.

May 25th-31st.

On the 25th of May, the Cavalry Corps rejoined the army, General Sheridan having accomplished the object of the expedition for which he was detached, having destroyed 10 miles of the Central Railroad, 2 locomotives, 3 trains, about 1,500,000 rations, and overtaken and recaptured 400 Union soldiers who were being marched to Richmond as prisoners. Subsequently he captured Ashland Station. The depot, 6 miles of railroad, a train of cars, and a large quantity of stores were destroyed. At Yellow Tavern he attacked and drove the Confederates four miles, mortally wounding Generals Stuart and Gordon, capturing two pieces of artillery, and taking between 200 and 300 prisoners. He destroyed the railroad. bridge across the Chickahominy; destroyed two bridges and some track near Hanover Court-House; and encountered and drove the Confederate cavalry across the Chickahominy. He then crossed the Pamunkey at White House, reaching the army as stated—all in seventeen days, three of which he spent at Haxall's Landing, on the James, refitting his command.

On the morning of the 26th, in obedience to the order above quoted, Wilson's division of cavalry was sent across the river at Jericho Mills, to make the desired feint, and on the night of the 26th, General Sheridan, with two divisions of cavalry, supported by Russell's division of the Sixth Corps, moved towards Hanover Town. The remaining division of the Sixth Corps recrossed during the night of the 26th and,