Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army explained
Grant describes the Army of the Potomac's southward movement from Spotsylvania to the North Anna River, the crossing at Jericho Ford, the Battle of North Anna, and the subsequent flanking maneuver to cross the Pamunkey River.
What happens
Grant describes the Army of the Potomac's southward movement from Spotsylvania to the North Anna River, the crossing at Jericho Ford, the Battle of North Anna, and the subsequent flanking maneuver to cross the Pamunkey River. He details the strategic withdrawal from the North Anna, the feint by Wilson's cavalry, and the successful crossing at Hanover Town. The chapter includes an incident at a plantation house where Grant reads a dispatch about Sherman's advance into Georgia, and concludes with orders for Hunter's Valley campaign and the shift of the Union base to White House.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant's careful planning and delegation of dangerous reconnaissance duties, and his humane treatment of a Southern family, reflect his leadership and magnanimity.
The Horrors and Cost of War
The continuous marching and fighting, the capture of prisoners, and the emotional impact on civilians (e.g., Mrs. Tyler's tears) underscore the war's toll.
National Union and Constitutional Crisis
The strategic maneuvers aim to preserve the Union by capturing Richmond and defeating the Confederate army.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Author and commander; issues orders for the movement south, directs the feint and crossing, and reads Sherman's dispatch to a plantation lady.
- George G. Meade
Commanding the Army of the Potomac; receives Grant's orders and is present at the plantation house.
- Ambrose E. Burnside
Commands the 9th Corps; moves to New Bethel Church and crosses at Jericho Ford; interacts with the plantation lady.
- Gouverneur K. Warren
Commands the 5th Corps; crosses at Jericho Ford and participates in the flank movement.
- Horatio G. Wright
Commands the 6th Corps; crosses at Jericho Ford and is involved in the withdrawal and march.
- Philip H. Sheridan
Leads the cavalry; executes the feint and secures crossings at Hanover Town.
- James H. Wilson
Commands a cavalry division; conducts the feint on Lee's left flank.
- Robert E. Lee
Confederate commander; deceived by Grant's movements and telegraphs Richmond about the crossing.
Key passages
“We were now to operate in a different country from any we had before seen in Virginia. The roads were wide and good, and the country well cultivated. No men were seen except those bearing arms, even the black man having been sent away.”
The army entered a new region of Virginia with good roads and farmland, but all civilians except armed men had been evacuated, including enslaved people.
Grant describes the unfamiliar and depopulated landscape as the campaign moves south.
“Lee had now a superb opportunity to take the initiative either by attacking Wright and Burnside alone, or by following by the Telegraph Road and striking Hancock’s and Warren’s corps, or even Hancock’s alone, before reinforcements could come up. But he did not avail himself of either opportunity.”
Lee missed a prime chance to strike isolated Union corps, but he chose instead to retreat along the interior line to protect Richmond.
Grant reflects on Lee's missed offensive opportunity after the move from Spotsylvania.
“I read my dispatch aloud, when it was received. This threw the younger lady into tears. I found the information she had received (and I suppose it was the information generally in circulation through the South) was that Lee was driving us from the State in the most demoralized condition and that in the Southwest our troops were but little better than prisoners of war.”
Grant read Sherman's success dispatch aloud, causing a Southern woman to cry, as she had believed Confederate reports that the Union was being routed.
An incident at a plantation house reveals the contrast between Southern propaganda and Union progress.
