William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac

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[429] feed the mines the timber of the country for many miles around had been cut down, and in its place there had arisen a dense undergrowth of low-limbed and scraggy pines, stiff and bristling chinkapins, scrub-oaks, and hazel. It is a region of gloom and the shadow of death. Manoeuvring here was necessarily out of the question, and only Indian tactics told. The troops could only receive direction by a point of the compass; for not only were the lines of battle entirely hidden from the sight of the commander, but no officer could see ten files on each side of him. Artillery was wholly ruled out of use; the massive concentration of three hundred guns stood silent, and only an occasional piece or section could be brought into play in the road-sides. Cavalry was still more useless. But in that horrid thicket there lurked two hundred thousand men, and through it lurid fires played; and, though no array of battle could be seen, there came out of its depths the crackle and roll of musketry like the noisy boiling of some hell-caldron that told the dread story of death. Such was the field of the battle of the Wilderness; and General Grant appointed that at five o'clock of the morning the fight should be renewed. Combinations or grand tactics there were none; the order of battle was simple, and was to all the corps—Attack along the whole line.

It is a striking proof of the aggressive determination animating both commanders, that Lee, also, that morning had resolved upon assuming the offensive. His plan was to deliver an overwhelming blow on the left of the Union army —a point well chosen, since this was Grant's strategic flank, the carrying of which would force him back against the Rapidan. It was, however, impossible to strike this blow effectively until Longstreet's corps, which had not yet arrived,