within the recently constructed works, after considerable
fighting, resulting in severe loss to both sides.
On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started
on a raid against the enemy’s lines of communication
with Richmond. The 9th, 10th, and 11th were spent
in manoeuvring and fighting, without decisive results.
Among the killed on the 9th was that able and distinguished
soldier Major-General John Sedgwick, commanding the
sixth army corps. Major-General H. G. Wright
succeeded him in command. Early on the morning
of the 12th a general attack was made on the enemy
in position. The second corps, Major-General
Hancock commanding, carried a salient of his line,
capturing most of Johnson’s division of Ewell’s
corps and twenty pieces of artillery. But the
resistance was so obstinate that the advantage gained
did not prove decisive. The 13th, 14th, 15th,
16th, 17th, and 18th, were consumed in manoeuvring
and awaiting the arrival of reinforcements from Washington.
Deeming it impracticable to make any further attack
upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Court House, orders
were issued on the 15th with a view to a movement
to the North Anna, to commence at twelve o’clock
on the night of the 19th. Late in the afternoon
of the 19th, Ewell’s corps came out of its works
on our extreme right flank; but the attack was promptly
repulsed, with heavy loss. This delayed the movement
to the North Anna until the night of the 21st, when
it was commenced. But the enemy again, having
the shorter line, and being in possession of the main
roads, was enabled to reach the North Anna in advance
of us, and took position behind it. The fifth
corps reached the North Anna on the afternoon of the
23d, closely followed by the sixth corps. The
second and ninth corps got up about the same time,
the second holding the railroad bridge, and the ninth
lying between that and Jericho Ford. General
Warren effected a crossing the same afternoon, and
got a position without much opposition. Soon after
getting into position he was violently attacked, but
repulsed the enemy with great slaughter. On
the 25th, General Sheridan rejoined the Army of the
Potomac from the raid on which he started from Spottsylvania,
having destroyed the depots at Beaver Dam and Ashland
stations, four trains of cars, large supplies of rations,
and many miles of railroad-track; recaptured about
four hundred of our men on their way to Richmond as
prisoners of war; met and defeated the enemy’s
cavalry at Yellow Tavern; carried the first line of
works around Richmond (but finding the second line
too strong to be carried by assault), recrossed to
the north bank of the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge
under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to Haxall’s
Landing, on the James River, where he communicated
with General Butler. This raid had the effect
of drawing off the whole of the enemy’s cavalry
force, making it comparatively easy to guard our trains.