tle-field, and has given us at Mill Spring and Nashville two splendid illustrations of the offensive, and at Chickamauga a magnificent example of defensive battle; but his marches, which are always slow and labored, are never likely to become famous. Grant has excelled in both these important branches of the art of war, and has given us brilliant examples of each; and, though he has shown no extraordinary engineering ability in constructing defenses, he has done better in reducing those of the rebels. He uses the strategy of Sherman to reach his chosen battlefield, and then employs the grand tactics of Thomas to win the victory. Writes another popular biographer, "it is more difficult to analyze the mental than the moral character of Grant. Indeed, he seems to have no peculiarly striking qualities, so evenly balanced is his whole character. He is a man of great military talent, doing things not so much in a different way from other generals, as with different power." But that "power" is difference enough to stamp him an extraordinary man and general. When, without the approving counsel of a single subordinate officer, he cut loose from Grand Gulf, and led his vast army straight into a hostile country toward impregnable Vicksburg, he displayed intellect sufficiently broad to comprehend any military situation; and a heart so strong, brave, and calm, that it could bear modestly any pressure of official responsibility. Then again, his combinations, when his elevation to the control of the United States armies gave him the opportunity to grasp the entire work before the nation, and his wise selection of officers to co-operate with him, will place his name in the ultimate verdict of history with that of Napoleon, Wellington, and Washington. MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE'S REPORT. 573 CHAPTER XXVII. REPORTS OF GENERALS MEADE, SHERIDAN, SHERMAN, AND GRANT. General Meade's Report of the Potomac Army.-General Sheridan's account of his Splendid Achievements.-The Story of the Unrivaled Sherman's Great March.-General Grant's Final and Great Report of the closing Campaign of the War. GENERAL MEADE's Report of the part taken by his troops in the closing events of the War is a condensed and carefully written history of the Potomac Army under his command: THE FINAL OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, COLONEL :-I have the honor to submit herewith a succinct report of the operations of this Army in the recent campaign, resulting in the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg, and terminating in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. On the 29th ultimo, in pursuance of orders received from the Lieutenant-General commanding, the Second and Fifth Corps were moved across Hatcher's Run, the former by the Vaughan Road, the latter by the old stage road crossing at Perkins's. The Second Corps, holding the extreme left of the line before Petersburg prior to moving, was relieved by Major-General Gibbon, commanding two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps. Major-General Humphreys, commanding Second Corps, was directed, after crossing Hatcher's Run, to take position with his right resting on Hatcher's Run and his left extending to the Quaker road. Major-General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, was directed at first to take position at the intersection of the Vaughan and Quaker roads, and subsequently, about noon of the 29th, he was ordered to move up the Quaker road beyond Gravelly Run. These orders were duly executed, and by evening Major-General Humphreys was in position, his right resting near Dabney's Mill, and his left near Gravelly Meeting-House on the Quaker road. In taking this position Major-General Humphreys encountered but little opposition, meeting only a small force in a line of rifle-pits, who were quickly driven out. Major General Warren was delayed in his movement, by having to rebuild the bridge over Gravelly Run. The advance of his column, Brigadier-General Griffin's division, was attacked about 4 P. M., when about a mile and a half beyond Gravelly Run, by Bushrod Johnson's division. A spirited engagement ensued, in which Griffin handsomely repulsed and drove the enemy, capturing over one hundred prisoners. On the 30th, Major-General Humphreys again advanced, driving the enemy into his main line of works, and by night occupying a line from the Crow House, on Hatcher's Run, to the intersection of the Dabney's Mill and Boydtown plank-road. Major-General Warren, during this day, advanced on the Quaker road to its intersection with the Boydtown plank, and pushed Ayres's division in a northwesterly direction over to the White Oak road. No fighting of any consequence occurred this day, except picket skirmishing and exchange of artillery shots from the respective lines, now close to each other. During the night of the 30th, Major-General Humphreys, who had intrenched his line, was directed to relieve Griffin's division, Fifth Corps, by Miles's division, and Major-General Warren was ordered to move both Crawford and Griffin within supporting distance of Ayres, whose position on the extreme left was considered likely to invite attack. On the 31st, about 10 A. M., Ayres, under General Warren's orders, advanced to dislodge the enemy in position on the White Oak road. Ayres's attack was unsuccessful, and was followed by such a vigorous attack of the enemy that Ayres was compelled to fall back upon Crawford, who, in turn, was so strongly pressed by the enemy as to force both divisions back, in considerable disorder, to the position occupied by Griffin, when the pursuit of the enemy ceased. Immediately on ascertaining the condition of affairs, Major-General Humphreys was ordered to move to Warren's support, and that officer promptly sent Miles's division to attack in flank the force operating against Warren. This movement was handsomely executed by Miles, who, attacking the enemy vigorously, drove him back to his former position on the White Oak road, capturing several colors and many prisoners. In the mean time Warren advanced with Griffin's division, supported by such portions of Ayres's and Crawford's divisions as could be rallied, and regaining the position held by Ayres in the morning, Griffin attacked with Chamberlain's brigade, driving the enemy and securing a lodgment on the White Oak road. These operations over, hearing heavy firing to the left and rear, which was presumed to be the cavalry moving up from Dinwiddie Court-House, Warren was directed to send a brigade down the White Oak road to co-operate with the cavalry. This brigade by night reached the crossing of Gravelly Run, by the road leading through J. Boisseau's, where, not meeting any enemy, it bivouacked. During the night, having been directed to send support to Major-General Sheridan, at Dinwiddie Court-House, Major-General Warren was ordered to move with his whole corps, two divisions by the White Oak MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE'S REPORT. 575 road and one by the Boydtown plank-road. Major-General Humphreys was ordered to extend his left as far as practicable, consistent with its security. During the foregoing operations, the Sixth and Ninth Corps remained in the lines in front of Petersburg, with orders to watch the enemy closely, and, in the event of the lines in their front being weakened, to attack. On April 1st, after consultation with the Lieut.-General commanding, believing from the operations on his right that the enemy's lines on his left must be thinly held, orders were sent to Major-Generals Wright and Parke to attack the next morning at 4 A. M. About 7 P. M., intelligence having been received of the brilliant success of the cavalry and Fifth Corps at Five Forks, orders were sent to Generals Parke and Wright to open their batteries and press the enemy's picket-line. At the same time, Miles's division, Second Corps, was detached to the support of Major-General Sheridan, and Major-General Humphreys advised of the intended attacks of the Twenty-fourth, Sixth and Fifth Corps, and directed to hold his two remaining divisions ready to co-operate in the same, should they prove successful. On the 2d of April, Major-General Wright attacked at 4 P. M., carrying every thing before him, taking possession of the enemy's strong line of works, and capturing many guns and prisoners. After carrying the enemy's lines in his front, and reaching the Boydtown plank-road, Major-General Wright turned to his left and swept down the enemy's line of intrenchments till near Hatcher's Run, where, meeting the head of the Twentyfourth Corps, Gen. Wright retraced his steps and advanced on the Boydtown plank-road toward Petersburg, encountering the enemy in an inner line of works immediately around the city. Major-General Wright deployed his corps confronting their works in conjunction with the Twenty-fourth and part of the Second Corps. Major-General Parke's attack, at 4 A. M., was also successful, carrying the enemy's lines, capturing guns and prisoners; but the position of the Ninth Corps, confronting that position of the enemy's line the longest held and most strongly fortified, it was found he held a second and inner line which Major-General Parke was unable to carry. Receiving a dispatch during the morning from Major-General Parke, reporting his being pressed by the enemy, the troops left in City Point defenses, under Brigadier-General Benham and Brevet Brigadier-General Collis, were ordered up to General Parke's support; their prompt arrival enabling them to render material assistance to General Parke in holding his lines. So soon as Major-General Wright's success was reported, Major-General Humphreys was ordered to advance with the remaining divisions of his corps; Hays, on the right, advanced and captured a redoubt in front of the Crow House, taking a gun and over one hundred prisoners. Mott, on the left, on advancing on the Boydtown plank-road, found the enemy's line evacuated. Hays and Mott pushed forward and joined the Sixth Corps confronting the enemy. Early in the morning, Miles, reporting his return. to his position on the White Oak road, was ordered to advance on the Clai borne road simultaneously with Mott and Hays. Miles, perceiving the enemy was moving to his right, pursued and overtook him at Sutherland's Station, where a sharp engagement took place, Miles handling his singlə division with great skill and gallantry, capturing several guns and many prisoners. On receiving intelligence of Miles being engaged, Hays was sent to his support, but did not reach the field till the action was over. At 3 A. M., of the 2d of April, Major-Generals Parke and Wright reported no enemy in their front, when, on advancing, it was ascertained Petersburg was evacuated. Wilcox's division, Ninth Corps, was ordered to occupy the town, and the Second, Sixth and Ninth Corps immediately moved up the river, reaching that night the vicinity of Sutherland's Station. The next three days, the 3d, 4th and 5th, the pursuit was continued along the river and Namozine roads, the Fifth Corps following the cavalry, and the Second and Sixth following the Fifth, the Ninth having been detached to guard the Southside Railroad. The progress of the troops was greatly impeded by the bad character of the road, the presence of the supply trains of the Fifth Corps, and cavalry, and by the frequent changes of position of the cavalry, to whom the right of way was given. On the night of the 4th, receiving a dispatch from Major-General Sheridan that his army was in position at Amelia Court-House, immediate orders were given for the resumption of the march by the troops of the Second and Sixth Corps, reaching Jettersville between 4 and 5 P. M., where the Fifth Corps was found intrenched, expecting an attack. No attack being made, on the morning of the 6th of April the three corps were moved in the direction of Amelia Court-House, with the intention of attacking the enemy if found there; but soon after moving, intelligence was received that Lee had moved from Amelia Court-House toward Farmville. The directions of the corps were changed, and the Sixth Corps moved from the right to the left. The Second Corps was ordered to move on Deatonsville, and the Fifth and Sixth Corps to move in parallel direction on the right and left, respectively. The Second Corps soon came up with the enemy and commenced a rear-guard fight, which continued all day till evening, when the enemy was so crowded in attempting to cross Sailor's Creek that he had to abandon a large train. Guns, colors, and prisoners were taken in these successful operations of the Second Corps. The Sixth Corps, on the left of the Second, came up with the enemy posted on Sailor's Creek. Major-General Wright attacked with two divisions, and completely routed the enemy. In this attack the cavalry, under Major-General Sheridan, was operating on the left of the Sixth Corps, while Humphreys was pressing on the right. The result of the combined operations was the capture of Lieutenant-General Ewell and four other general officers, with most of Ewell's corps. The next day, the 7th of April, the Fifth Corps was moved to the left toward Prince Edward Court-House. The Second Corps resumed the direct pursuit of the enemy, coming up with him at High Bridge over the |