OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 257 



him to battle. This necessity continued nearly to the end of the war, 

 and when the circle of combat had moved as far as Petersburg. In 

 the summer of 1864, the movement of Eai'ly, with a moderate force, 

 threatening Washington and Baltimore, was sufficient to compel Grant 

 to detach a corps of infantry and a division of cavalry, in order to 

 cover those places. 



The season of 1863 was fated to end in manoeuvres only, despite 

 an admirably planned attempt to cross the Rapidan, and surprise the 

 right of the enemy, near a brook called Mine Run. The diliiculty of 

 the tortuous and narrow wood-roads, and the inefficiency of certain 

 subordinates, fatally delayed the march of one wing of the army, and 

 rendered a surprise impossible. Stung though he was by a failure 

 wliieh was not liis own, Meade at that moment showed a conscien- 

 tiousness and a spirit of self-sacrifice, which must ever make him 

 dear in the memory of his soldiers. There were not wanting those 

 who urged him to attack at all hazards ; warning him that his com- 

 mand would be taken from him, if he seemed to hold back from fight- 

 iug. But not the prospective downfall of his great reputation could 

 shake his rigid judgment. He made up his mind that an assault was 

 hopeless, and gave the order to withdraw that night. Meade never 

 forgot this sacrifice, nor the criticisms of some who lived in safe places. 

 Amid the horrid carnage of Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, he one 

 day said bitterly : " Some people thought I would not fight hard 

 enough, because at Mine Run I held the lives of my men dearer than 

 my own glory. I hope they are satisfied now." 



When Grant was appointed Lieutenant- General of the forces, in 

 place of the singular aulic council, which hitherto had cramped military 

 operations, he was quick to see that the Rebellion could have no end, so 

 long as the strongest hostile army lay within three days' march of 

 Washington. Therefore, while he directed by telegraph all the armies 

 in the field, he accompanied in person the Army of the Potomac. 

 But jMeade still commanded it, and, as is needless to explain to military 

 men, the tactical combinations were his alone. 



Painfully did his columns struggle through the Wilderness ; as the 

 men used to say, " fighting and digging all day, and marching all night." 

 Those that survived to cross the James were confronted by the earth- 

 works of Petersburg, the last stronghold of Lee. There Meade stayed 

 all the winter through, living in the tent that during four years had 

 been his only home. To his officers he gave leaves of absence, but he 

 remained in the midst of his troops, waiting for spring and the chance 

 to strike the last blow. 



VOL. r. 33 



