I want Sheridan to send a cavalry force of at least half a brigade, if not a whole brigade, at 5 A.M. in the morning, to communicate with Smith and to return with him.  I will send orders for Smith by the messenger you send to Sheridan with his orders.

U. S. Grant.

I also notified Smith of his danger, and the precautions that would be taken to protect him.

The night of the 30th Lee’s position was substantially from Atlee’s Station on the Virginia Central Railroad south and east to the vicinity of Cold Harbor.  Ours was:  The left of Warren’s corps was on the Shady Grove Road, extending to the Mechanicsville Road and about three miles south of the Totopotomoy.  Burnside to his right, then Hancock, and Wright on the extreme right, extending towards Hanover Court House, six miles south-east of it.  Sheridan with two divisions of cavalry was watching our left front towards Cold Harbor.  Wilson with his division on our right was sent to get on the Virginia Central Railroad and destroy it as far back as possible.  He got possession of Hanover Court House the next day after a skirmish with Young’s cavalry brigade.  The enemy attacked Sheridan’s pickets, but reinforcements were sent up and the attack was speedily repulsed and the enemy followed some distance towards Cold Harbor.

CHAPTER LV.

Advance on cold harbor—­an anecdote of the war—­battle of cold harbor —­correspondence with Lee—­retrospective.

On the 31st Sheridan advanced to near Old Cold Harbor.  He found it intrenched and occupied by cavalry and infantry.  A hard fight ensued but the place was carried.  The enemy well knew the importance of Cold Harbor to us, and seemed determined that we should not hold it.  He returned with such a large force that Sheridan was about withdrawing without making any effort to hold it against such odds; but about the time he commenced the evacuation he received orders to hold the place at all hazards, until reinforcements could be sent to him.  He speedily turned the rebel works to face against them and placed his men in position for defence.  Night came on before the enemy was ready for assault.

Wright’s corps was ordered early in the evening to march directly to Cold Harbor passing by the rear of the army.  It was expected to arrive by daylight or before; but the night was dark and the distance great, so that it was nine o’clock the 1st of June before it reached its destination.  Before the arrival of Wright the enemy had made two assaults on Sheridan, both of which were repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy.  Wright’s corps coming up, there was no further assault on Cold Harbor.