, then on
the left, then upon the Sixth, then upon the Second,--then upon the
whole line, renewing and repeating the assaults. Grant stood throughout
upon the line selected at the beginning of the battle. Lee began the
attack on the 5th, and renewed it at daybreak on the 6th.

Through all those long hours of conflict, there was patient endurance in
front of the enemy. There were temporary successes and reverses on both
sides. In only a single instance was there permanent advantage to the
enemy, and that he had not the power to improve. It was at the close of
the contest on the 6th. The sun had gone down, and twilight was
deepening into night. The wearied men of Rickett's division of the Sixth
Corps, in the front line of battle on the right, had thrown themselves
upon the ground. Suddenly there was a rush upon their flank. There was
musketry, blinding flashes from cannon, and explosions of shells. The
line which had stood firmly through the day gave way, not because it was
overpowered, but because it was surprised. General Seymour and a portion
of his brigade were taken prisoners. There was a partial panic, which
soon subsided. The second line remained firm, the enemy was driven back,
and the disaster repaired by swinging the Sixth Corps round to a new
position, covered by the reserve artillery. It was the only substantial
advantage gained by Lee during the battle.

There were indications in the forenoon of Saturday, the 7th, that Lee
was withdrawing his army. A reconnoissance in force made it more
apparent. Orders were issued for the removal of the wounded to
Fredericksburg. At two o'clock in the afternoon the Ninth Corps was on
the march to Spottsylvania. The first step towards Richmond had been
successfully taken. If Grant had not gained what he desired, a position
between Lee and Richmond, Lee on the other hand had utterly failed in
his attempt to crush Grant by a sudden blow upon his flank. He had not
been able, in the language of the President, even to "jostle him from
his chosen line of march."

SPOTTSYLVANIA.

At sunrise on the 8th, the Fifth Corps was at Todd's Tavern, four miles
from Spottsylvania, where Gregg had just defeated Fitz Hugh Lee, in a
hard-fought contest on Saturday. The Sixth and Second Corps arrived
during the day. The Ninth moved with the teams through Chancellorsville
farther to the east.

The natural defences of Spottsylvania are two small streams,--the Po and
the Ny, affluents of the