Part 2, Lee (May 9, 1864) Grant (May 9, 1864): Chapters 17-18 Summary

After the draw battle in the Wilderness, Lee races south to set up the defenses at Spotsylvania. In Chapter 17, Lee has beat Grant and has his men dig trenches from which to fight. He thinks about his generals and how weakened some of them have become. Ewell could not take the initiative like Stonewall Jackson had in the early war. Hill is still a good leader but has an illness that takes him out of the action intermittently. Longstreet was too often slow to move ahead, and the others were not remarkable but dependable. Stuart had successfully cut off the Federal drive south, giving time to dig the trenches. The strategic Petersburg rail center has to be defended because it is a major supply line for Lee's army. He must hold...