For this determination to avoid further fighting in the Wilderness, General Grant gives a singular explanation.  “On the morning of the 7th,” he says, “reconnoissance showed that the enemy had fallen behind his intrenched lines, with pickets to the front, covering a part of the battle-field.  From this it was evident that the two-days’ fighting had satisfied him of his inability to further maintain the contest in the open field, notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that he would wait an attack behind his works.”  The “intrenched lines” and “advantage of position” of Lee, were both imaginary.  No lines of intrenchment had been made, and the ground was not more favorable on General Lee’s side than on General Grant’s.  Both armies had erected impromptu breastworks of felled trees and earth, as continued to be their habit throughout the campaign, and the flat country gave no special advantage to either.  The forward movement of General Grant is susceptible of much easier explanation.  The result of the two-days’ fighting had very far from pleased him; he desired to avoid further conflict in so difficult a country, and, taking advantage of the quiescence of Lee, and the hours of darkness, he moved with his army toward the more open country.

IV.

THE 12TH OF MAY.

Throughout the entire day succeeding this first great conflict, General Lee remained quiet, watching for some movement of his adversary.  His success in the preliminary straggle had been gratifying, considering the great disproportion of numbers, but he indulged no expectation of a retrograde movement across the Rapidan, on the part of General Grant.  He expected him rather to advance, and anxiously awaited some development of this intention.  There were no indications of such a design up to the night of the 7th, but at that time, to use the words of a confidential member of Lee’s staff, “he all at once seemed to conceive the idea that his enemy was preparing to forsake his position, and move toward Hanover Junction via the Spottsylvania Court-House, and, believing this, he at once detailed Anderson’s division with orders to proceed rapidly toward the court-house.”

General Anderson commenced his march about nine o’clock at night, when the Federal column was already upon its way.  A race now began for the coveted position, and General Stuart, with his dismounted sharp-shooters behind improvised breastworks, harassed and impeded the Federal advance, at every step, throughout the night.  This greatly delayed their march, and their head of column did not reach the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court-House until past sunrise.  General Warren, leading the Federal advance, then hurried forward, followed by General Hancock, when suddenly he found himself in front of breastworks, and was received with a fire of musketry.  Lee had succeeded in interposing himself between General Grant and Richmond.