Chancellorsville House, he gave the command, "Forward, by the left
flank," thus demonstrating his purpose, as he said four days afterward
in his despatch to the government, "to fight it out on that line if
it took all summer," the soldiers gave a sigh of relief, and many
began to sing at the prospect of no more retreating. General Sherman
has recorded his belief that at this juncture Grant best displayed his
greatness.

With the movement which we have just mentioned, the next stage in the
campaign would bring both the Union and the Confederate armies to
Spottsylvania Courthouse. The distance that each had to march to that
point was about the same. It was at this juncture that the woods in
which the two armies were moving, Grant to the left and Lee to the
right, took fire and were burned. When the Union advance came in sight
of Spottsylvania, Warren, who commanded, found that the place had been
already occupied by the vigilant enemy. Hancock did not arrive in time
to make an immediate attack, and Longstreet's corps was able to get
into position before the pressure of the Union advance could be felt.

At this juncture Sheridan, in command of the Federal cavalry, was cut
loose from the Union army and sent whirling with irresistible speed
and momentum entirely around the rear of the Confederate army,
destroying railroads, cutting communication, burning trains and
liberating prisoners, as far as the very suburbs of Richmond.

The main divisions of the Union army came into position before
Spottsylvania. Hancock had the right wing, and upon his left rested
Warren. Sedgwick's corps was next in order, while Burnside held the
left. Just as the commanders were forming their lines and some men at
a Union battery seemed to shrink from the Confederate sharpshooters,