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he addressed a stirring congratulatory epistle to his troops, in which he recapitulated their achievements since the campaign began, during “eight days and nights almost without intermission, in rain and sunshine,” against a foe “in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrenchments.”
He told them that the work was not yet over, but that every thing was encouraging.
“We shall soon receive re-enforcements,” he said, “which the foe cannot expect.
Let us determine to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and, under God's blessing, in a short time, the object of our labors will be accomplished.”
1
In the mean time the whole country was deeply stirred by the events of the campaign thus far, as reported by the electric and electrifying tongue of the telegraph.
Upon
Grant and
Lee the thoughts of the whole nation were directed.
From the office of Edwin
M. Stanton, the successful rival in fame of
L. M. N. Carnot, as a War Minister, went out bulletins, day after day, which produced the most intense anxiety and cheering hope; and on the 9th,
when the Army of the Potomac had passed The Wilderness, and confronted its foe near Spottsylvania Court-House, the
President issued an address “To the friends of Union and Liberty,” telling them that enough was then known of the operations of the army to claim a feeling “of special gratitude to God ;” and he recommended “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.”
At the
National Capital the excitement on that day was intense, and the loyal people went by thousands in a procession, with music and banners, to the
White House, to congratulate the
President.
Then came
Grant's dispatch,
declaring that he proposed to fight it out on that line if it took all summer, to which were added
Meade's congratulatory address on the 13th, and cheering dispatches from
Grant and
Mr. Dana, the
Assistant Secretary of War, sent on the same morning.
2
From the 13th to the 18th of May, the two armies confronted each other with sleepless vigilance, engaged in maneuvers and counter-maneuvers, and watching for the appearance of some weak point in the position or disposition of each other that might warrant an attack.
During these movements several sharp skirmishes occurred, and a vast amount of fatiguing labor was endured by the troops.
Finally,
Grant was satisfied that it would be almost impossible for him to carry
Lee's position, so he prepared to turn it, and thereby bring him out of his intrenchments.
This was resolved upon after an abortive attempt to carry a portion of the
Confederate works, early on the morning of the 18th,
by the divisions of
Gibbon and
Barlow, supported by the division of
Birney, and another of foot artillerists, under General R. 0.
Tyler, which had just come down from the defenses of Washington.
The movement was arrested at the
abatis in front of the works by a heavy fire, which repulsed the assailants, and at ten o'clock
Meade withdrew the assaulting force.
On the following day
preparations were made for the turning movement.
Knowing or suspecting it,
Lee made dispositions for
