umph of free government throughout the world. But there were no unseemly exultations, no malicious rejoicings over the falling foe.

On the evening of Monday, May 9th, a body of the people gathered spontaneously before the Executive Mansion at Washington. The band of the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Ohio, Grant's native State, which was then on its way to the field, paused at the grounds and performed the national airs. President Lincoln was called out on the balcony of the White House for a speech. He responded to the call by appearing before the assembled thousands, and proposing to join them in hearty cheers for Lieutenant-General Grant and the brave armies under his command. The cheers were heartily given, and the grateful multitude quietly retired to their homes.

In both Houses of Congress, then in session, the brief official despatches were read to the members and people present, and received with thankful demonstrations.

The field of battle that day witnessed a continuance of the great struggle. The enemy made a determined stand near Spottsylvania Court House, and our forces gallantly attacked. At this point the army and the country were called to mourn the loss of Major-General Sedgwick, of Connecticut, who fell in the ramparts that had just been captured. Gen. Wadsworth, of New York, a citizen of dis

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tinction who was among the first to volunteer for the Union, had just previously fallen, with Gen. Stevenson, of Massachusetts, and other brave men.

As the day advanced Grant still moved forward. Burnside had inflicted a serious blow on Longstreet, and all our troops were eager to avenge the deaths of their commanders and comrades. They were sanguine of success, and it was admitted by all had never fought so well before.

An evidence of the inherent weakness of some of the arrangements of Lee was discovered in an intercepted order in relation to supplies. He admitted that his communications with Richmond were being cut off, and that it was impossible to furnish his men with provisions. Our own troops, on the contrary, were not only flushed with victory but well supplied at all points. The resistance they met but inspired their courage and impelled them to still greater deeds of valor.

Up to this time our artillery had not been brought into full play. The fights were mostly those of the infantry and cavalry. A body of horse under Gen. Torbett drove the rebels rapidly from beyond Spottsylvania, and being joined by the Fourth Division of Maryland, the conflict became very severe, terminating favorably to the Union arms.

Intelligence was now received from Gen. Butler that he held the portions of the Richmond and Petersburg Railway he had captured, and that his

troops were still advancing up the Peninsula toward Richmond. The colored regiments had deployed toward the Chickahominy River, and fought well. A rebel fort was taken on the Appomattox. The fleet was active on the James River. The rebel Gen. Beauregard was reported to be hemmed in at Petersburg. A report came from the James-River Department that Lee was wounded, and in Richmond. This, however, was soon contradicted.

The grand result, thus far, had been eminently favorable. Grant had boldly challenged the whole strength of the Rebel Confederacy, and firmly and calmly resolved to test with it the combined power of the United States to maintain their independence, on the crimson fields of Virginia. Perfectly self-possessed, he had deliberately drawn the whole force of the rebels on his serried columns, confident that, with the blessing of Heaven, they would withstand the shock of battle and press on to final victory.

Recaptured prisoners who had been far to the front of the enemy gave information that the rebel authorities were busily engaged in the removal of their most valuable property and papers from Rich mond. Lee had already given repeated proofs that he was discomfited by the unlooked-for strategy of Grant and the stubborn valor of the Union troops. It had been ascertained, on good authority, that the rebels had already lost thirty thousand men in

battle, while their means of re-enforcing were growing less and less with each succeeding day. On our side the losses, although large, had been less in proportion, while our re-enforcements were abundant and came steadily forward.

Gen. Butler was now pressing Fort Darling, and Gen. Kautz, under his command, was operating with a large cavalry force against the Danville and Richmond Railway. Other Richmond railways were seriously damaged by Gen. Sheridan. The number of rebel prisoners in our hands swelled to more than nine thousand, including several generals and other officers high in command. Over thirty guns had been captured and were safely within our lines. Among the rebels taken was the remainder of the division once commanded by the celebrated "Stonewall Jackson."

This body of men was believed to be utterly invincible by the rebels, and its capture was one of the heaviest blows they had been called

to meet.

The colored troops in the Army of the Potomac, like their brothers in the Army of the Peninsula, fought all the time with intrepid valor. By their steadiness, coolness and courage under fire they clearly disproved, sword and bayonet in hand for our country, the infamous falsehoods of their enemies. No better soldiers, in proportion to their times of service and opportunities, were found on the most hard-fought fields. In the midst of privations, in

the face of death, they established for ever to the world their equality as soldiers with the rest of mankind.

The despatches of Grant came forward, at proper intervals, with all his appropriate brevity and force.

In a telegram to the Secretary of War, dated "IN THE FIELD, May 11th, '64," he says:

"We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is much in our favor.

"Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. "We have taken over five thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers.

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"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all

summer."

The modest manner in which his glorious victories were at first announced was only equalled by the cool self-possession with which he stated his purpose in the last line. Was ever strength of character better condensed in a few plain words?

The closing statement had done more to assure the country than almost any thing that had ever been uttered during the war. It showed the people, at a glance, the true character of the struggle, and assured them that if he was so patient in the field, surrounded thickly with privations and dangers, what ought they to be, safe in their homes?