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.

“A.  A. Humphreys,
“Major-General, Chief-of-staff.”

As soon as the above order was received I issued instructions for the concentration of the three divisions of cavalry at Aldrich’s to prepare for the contemplated expedition.  Three days’ rations for the men were distributed, and half rations of grain for one day were doled out for the horses.  I sent for Gregg, Merritt, and Wilson and communicated the order to them, saying at the same time, “We are going out to fight Stuart’s cavalry in consequence of a suggestion from me; we will give him a fair, square fight; we are strong, and I know we can beat him, and in view of my recent representations to General Meade I shall expect nothing but success.”  I also indicated to my division commanders the line of march I should take—­moving in one column around the right flank of Lee’s army to get in its rear —­and stated at the same time that it was my intention to fight Stuart wherever he presented himself, and if possible go through to Haxall’s Landing; but that if Stuart should successfully interpose between us and that point we would swing back to the Army of the Potomac by passing around the enemy’s left flank by way of Gordonsville.  At first the proposition seemed to surprise the division commanders somewhat, for hitherto even the boldest, mounted expeditions had been confined to a hurried ride through the enemy’s country, without purpose of fighting more than enough to escape in case of molestation, and here and there to destroy a bridge.  Our move would be a challenge to Stuart for a cavalry duel behind Lee’s lines, in his own country, but the advantages which it was reasonable to anticipate from the plan being quickly perceived, each division commander entered into its support unhesitatingly, and at once set about preparing for the march next day.

CHAPTER XIX.