On the morning of the 8th, when I found that such orders had been given, I made some strong remonstrances against the course that had been pursued, but it was then too late to carry out the combinations I had projected the night before, so I proceeded to join Merritt on the Spottsylvania road.  On reaching Merritt I found General Warren making complaint that the cavalry were obstructing his infantry column, so I drew Merritt off the road, and the leading division of the Fifth Corps pushed up to the front.  It got into line about 11 o’clock, and advanced to take the village, but it did not go very far before it struck Anderson’s corps, and was hurled back with heavy loss.  This ended all endeavor to take Spottsylvania that day.

A little before noon General Meade sent for me, and when I reached his headquarters I found that his peppery temper had got the better of his good judgment, he showing a disposition to be unjust, laying blame here and there for the blunders that had been committed.  He was particularly severe on the cavalry, saying, among other things, that it had impeded the march of the Fifth Corps by occupying the Spottsylvania road.  I replied that if this were true, he himself had ordered it there without my knowledge.  I also told him that he had broken up my combinations, exposed Wilson’s division to disaster, and kept Gregg unnecessarily idle, and further, repelled his insinuations by saying that such disjointed operations as he had been requiring of the cavalry for the last four days would render the corps inefficient and useless before long.  Meade was very much irritated, and I was none the less so.  One word brought on another, until, finally, I told him that I could whip Stuart if he (Meade) would only let me, but since he insisted on giving the cavalry directions without consulting or even notifying me, he could henceforth command the Cavalry Corps himself—­that I would not give it another order.

The acrimonious interview ended with this remark, and after I left him he went to General Grant’s headquarters and repeated the conversation to him, mentioning that I had said that I could whip Stuart.  At this General Grant remarked:  “Did he say so?  Then let him go out and do it.”  This intimation was immediately acted upon by General Meade, and a little later the following order came to me: 

“Headquarters army of the Potomac
“May 8th, 1864 1 P. M.

“General Sheridan,
“Commanding Cavalry Corps.

“The major-general commanding directs you to immediately concentrate your available mounted force, and with your ammunition trains and such supply trains as are filled (exclusive of ambulances) proceed against the enemy’s cavalry, and when your supplies are exhausted, proceed via New Market and Green Bay to Haxall’s Landing on the James River, there communicating with General Butler, procuring supplies and return to this army.  Your dismounted men will be left with the train here.