had been brought up, the whole
force amounting to 19,000 men, under the command of General Beauregard.
Butler, after various futile movements, was driven back again to his
intrenched camp at Bermuda Hundred, where he was virtually besieged by
Beauregard with 10,000 men, the rest of that general's force being sent
up to re-enforce Lee.

In West Virginia, Breckenridge, with 3500 men, was called upon to hold
in check Sigel, with 15,000 men. Advancing to Staunton, Breckenridge was
joined by the pupils of the military college at Lexington, 250 in
number, lads of from fourteen to seventeen years of age. He came upon
Sigel on the line of march and attacked him at once. The Federal general
placed a battery in a wood and opened fire with grape. The commander of
the Lexington boys ordered them to charge, and, gallantly rushing in
through the heavy fire, they charged in among the guns, killed the
artillerymen, drove back the infantry supports, and bayoneted their
colonel. The Federals now retired down the valley to Strasburg, and
Breckenridge was able to send a portion of his force to aid Lee in his
great struggle.

After his six days' pause in front of Lee's position at Spottsylvania,
Grant abandoned his plan of forcing his way through Lee's army to
Richmond, and endeavored to outflank it; but Lee again divined his
purpose, and moved round and still faced him. After various movements
the armies again stood face to face upon the old battle-grounds on the
Chickahominy. On the 3d of June the battle commenced at half-past four
in the morning. Hancock at first gained an advantage, but Hill's
division dashed down upon him and drove him back with great slaughter;
while no advantage was gained by him in other parts of the field. The
Federal loss on this day was 13,000, and the troops were so dispirited
that they refused to renew the battle in the afternoon.

[Illustration: Map--BATTLE of COLD HARBOR May 31st. to June 12th. 1864.]

Grant then determined to alter his plan altogether, and sending
imperative orders to Butler to obtain possession of Petersburg, embarked
Smith's corps in transports, and moved with the rest of his army to join
that general there. Smith's corps entered the James River, landed, and
marched against Petersburg. Beauregard had at Petersburg only two
infantry and two cavalry regiments under General Wise, while a single
brigade fronted Butler at Bermuda Hundred. With this handful of men he
was called upon to defe