Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/541

 The Campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg. 535

to assume that it was his rOle to permit General Grant to move around his flank at will, and then to content himself by our "interior and shorter lines, to throw himself across his path once more. He was constantly seeking- an opportunity to attack the Federal army, now dispirited by the bloody repulses of the repeated attacks on our lines, so obstinately persisted in by General Grant. He hoped to strike the blow at the North Anna, or between the Annas and the Chickahominy. He hoped much from an attack on Warren's corps, which, having crossed at Jericho ford, several miles higher up the North Anna, lay in a hazardous position, separated from the rest of the Federal army. General Hill, who was now sufficiently recovered to be in the saddle, at the head of his corps, was also sanguine of success in this attack ; but the main plan miscarried through some mishap, though one or two minor successes on this our left flank — notably one by General Mahone's division — were effected.

But, alas ! in the midst of these operations on the North Anna, General Lee was taken sick and confined to his tent. As he lay prostrated by his sickness, he would often repeat : " We must strike them a blow — we must never let them pass us again — we must strike them a blow." But though he still had reports of the operations in the field constantly brought to him, and gave orders to his officers, Lee confined to his tent was not Lee on the battlefield.

I know it is unprofitable now to consider what might have hap- pened, but I cannot refrain from venturing to express the opinion, that had not General Lee been physically disabled, he would have inflicted a heavy blow on the enemy in his march from the Pamun- key to the Chickahominy. An officer, whose opinions are entitled to much consideration, has often expressed the opinion that the opportunity was offered for this blow near Haw's shop, where the Con- federate cavalry, under Hampton and Fitz. Lee, met General Sheri- dan, sustained heavily by the Federal infantry. However that may be. Grant found Lee always in his front whenever and wherever he turned. After some desultory but sharp fighting on the Totopoto- moy, he found his old adversary in position at Cold Harbor* — a place, the reminiscences of which were more inspiring to the Con- federate than to the Federal troops.

two great battles, is the old English name for an ordinary or tavern, where the traveler could get lodging without food. One of the sets of apartments in the town of London is called " Cold Harbor."
 * It may be worth noting that this Cold Harbor, now made famous by