CHAPTER XXVI.

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CAMPAIGN IN THE WILDERNESS.

N the afternoon of the 3d of May, 1864, the tents of the Union army were struck; and that night, beneath the starlight, troops began crossing the Rapidan at Germania and Ely's Fords. The crossing was continued during the next day. The force numbered a hundred thousand men. The day was warm, the sun was bright; and as column after column wound its way down the river's bank, over the bridges, and spread out in marching order on the opposite side, banners and bayonets disappearing in the distance, the scene, both as a picture and for its moral associations, was deeply impressive. Grant said, "This is a wonderfully-fine appearing army; but it has seemed to me it never fought its battles through."

They marched toward the Wilderness. This is a wild, desolate tract of country in Spottsylvania County, about five miles wide, and twelve miles long. It is an immense jungle. The wood has been burned off for miners its surface is uneven, and covered with stumps, bushes, and an undergrowth of pines and scrub-oaks. Artillery and cavalry are at a great disadvantage in such a labyrinth. labyrinth. Fires were seen blazing on the hilltops to signal our advance to Gen. Lee.

When once the line is badly broken, soldiers begin to feel as if each man is fighting by himself, or in a crowd or mob: the sensation of being part of an army, and that fifty thousand men are striking with him, is lost. The line was re-formed, and again advanced; but the enemy were now greatly strengthened. Gen. Lee, to re-assure his soldiers and excite them to the utmost, rode to the front of a brigade of Texans, where he was instantly recognized, and, seizing a flag, ordered them to follow him in a charge. But the men, like the rank and file of every army who have a brave commander, loved their chief, and did not move. A bronzed veteran in the ranks, with a clarion voice, shouted that they would not stir till he had gone to his place in the rear: the shout was re-echoed by the whole brigade, until he was forced to retire.

But the rebel line was now so strong, that it was impossible to break it. A few hours after, the enemy themselves attacked, and flung their columns upon our lines with such terrific power, now here and now there, that our line was pressed back some distance. Gen. Wadsworth of New York, seeking to stem the tide, was shot through the head.

Again our troops rallied, and amid fearful carnage forced the enemy back with heavy loss, and took up their former position.

Night again closed over the bloody field. Neither party had won a decided triumph. Some of the soldiers thought the army would retreat the next day across the Rapidan, and call for re-enforcements; but Grant had come out to fight, and took no step backward. He was at headquarters, quiet and determined, issuing

his orders. He claimed no victory, smoked constantly, and remarked, "I have noticed that these Southerners fight desperately at first; yet, when we hang on for a day or two, we whip them awfully."

Thousands more had been wounded, and thousands The dead were to be buried.

slain.

In narrating the history of battles, it is impossible not to mention prominently the names of leading generals; but it can never be done without deep emotion at thought of the private soldiers, the unnamed heroes, who went down unheralded to death, each of them with a life precious to him and to those who loved him. Sorrow was flying that night to thousands of afflicted homes, which its shadow would darken for years; and these brave men were to find their graves, not beneath sculptured marble, not among kindred where flowers would bloom over their dust, but in this dreary region of darkness and gloom.

But the spirit of the private soldiers of the Union armies inspired the war, and achieved its victories. A regenerated nation is their mausoleum. Wherever they lie, whether in the solitude of the wilderness, in the lonely mountain-pass, or beneath the beautiful magnolia's blossoms, the place of their last repose will be hallowed till the end of time.

Saturday morning came; but it was apparent that the unparalleled exertions of the previous days had told upon the powers of the men in both armies. There was skirmishing: some guns on our right opened; but there was no reply. Each was willing to be attacked, but disinclined to attack. Gen. Grant did not assault, because he had not intended to fight in the Wilderness: