# Chapter LV explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## What happens

Grant reflects on the costly assault at Cold Harbor, the failed attempts to collect the wounded and dead under flag of truce, and the justification for the earlier assault at Vicksburg. He describes the correspondence with Lee, the cessation of offensive actions, and the aftermath of the battle.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Horrors and Cost of War

Grant describes the suffering of wounded men left between lines, the failed truce, and his regret over the assault at Cold Harbor.

### Leadership and Humility

Grant admits regret for the assault at Cold Harbor and justifies the Vicksburg assault, showing reflective and accountable leadership.

### Reconciliation and Magnanimity

Grant's efforts to arrange truces for collecting wounded and returning captured soldiers reflect a desire for humane treatment even amid conflict.

## Character check-ins

### Ulysses S. Grant

Author and commander; corresponds with Lee about collecting wounded, orders cessation of assaults, and reflects on the battles.

### Robert E. Lee

Confederate commander; exchanges letters with Grant regarding truce for wounded and dead.

### George G. Meade

Major-General commanding the Army of the Potomac; receives Grant's order to suspend further advance.

### Winfield S. Hancock

Corps commander; reports enemy too strong for further assault in his front.

### Horatio G. Wright

Corps commander; believes he could gain enemy lines with cooperation.

### Ambrose E. Burnside

Corps commander; thinks something could be done in his front.

### Gouverneur K. Warren

Corps commander; differs from Burnside's optimism about further assault.

### William F. Smith

General; leads division in assault, gains outer rifle-pits with support.

## Key lines

> I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made.

Grant expresses lasting regret over ordering the final attack at Cold Harbor.

_Grant reflects on the costly decision and its lack of strategic benefit._

> The knowledge that wounded men are now suffering from want of attention, between the two armies, compels me to ask a suspension of hostilities for sufficient time to collect them in, say two hours.

Grant requests a two-hour truce to tend to wounded soldiers lying between the lines.

_Humanitarian concern drives Grant to seek a temporary ceasefire._

> Had the assault not been made, I have no doubt that the majority of those engaged in the siege of Vicksburg would have believed that had we assaulted it would have proven successful, and would have saved life, health and comfort.

Grant argues that without the assault, the troops would have wrongly assumed a quick victory was possible, potentially costing more lives.

_Grant justifies the Vicksburg assault as necessary to maintain morale and prevent prolonged siege._

## Links

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