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the enemy from Hawe's Shop； the scene of the battle of May 28。 The
same day he crossed Tolopotomy Creek； and passed around the enemy's
left flank so far that Lee thought his left was turned by a strong
force； and under cover of darkness withdrew from a menacing position
which he was holding in front of the Ninth Corps。 This successful
manoeuvre completed； Wilson returned to Hawe's Shop； and on the 4th
went into camp at New Castle ferry； in anticipation of certain
operations of the Cavalry Corps； which were to take place while the
Army of the Potomac was crossing to the south side of the James。
CHAPTER XXI。
THE MOVEMENT TO THE JAMESTHE SECOND EXPEDITIONBATTLE OF
TREVILLIAN STATIONDEFEAT OF GENERAL WADE HAMPTONMALLORY'S
CROSSROADSSUFFERING OF THE WOUNDEDSECURING THE TRAINSGENERAL
GREGG'S STUBBORN FIGHT。
By the 6th of June General Grant again determined to continue the
movement of the army by its left flank to the south bank of the James
River； his unsuccessful attack on the enemy's works near Cold Harbor
having demonstrated that Lee's position north of the Chickahominy
could not be carried by assault with results that would compensate
for the enormous loss of life which must follow； therefore a further
attempt to fight a decisive battle north of Richmond was abandoned。
In carrying the army to the James River the hazardous manoeuvres
would be hampered by many obstacles； such as the thick timber；
underbrush； and troublesome swamps to be met in crossing the
Chickahominy。 Besides； Lee held an interior line； from which all the
direct roads to Richmond could be covered with his infantry； leaving
his cavalry free to confront our advance on the south bank of the
Chickahominy as far down as Jones's bridge； and thence around to
Charles City Court House。 In view of these difficulties it became
necessary to draw off the bulk of the enemy's cavalry while the
movement to the James was in process of execution； and General Meade
determined to do this by requiring me to proceed with two divisions
as far as Charlottesville to destroy the railroad bridge over the
Rivanna River near that town； the railroad itself from the Rivanna to
Gordonsville； and； if practicable； from Gordonsville back toward
Hanover Junction also。
〃HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC；
〃June 5； 1864。 3。30 P。 M。
〃MAJOR…GENERAL SHERIDAN； Commanding Cavalry Corps。
〃I am directed by the major…general commanding to furnish the
following instructions for your guidance in the execution of the duty
referred to in the order for movements and changes of position to…
night； a copy of which order accompanies this communication。
〃With two divisions of your corps you will move on the morning of the
7th instant to Charlottesville and destroy the railroad bridge over
the Rivanna near that town； you will then thoroughly destroy the
railroad from that point to Gordonsville； and from Gordonsville
toward Hanover Junction； and to the latter point； if practicable。
The chief engineer； Major Duane； will furnish you a canvas pontoon…
train of eight boats。 The chief quartermaster will supply you with
such tools； implements； and materials as you may require for the
destruction of the road。 Upon the completion of this duty you will
rejoin this army。
〃A。 HUMPHREYS；
〃Major…General； Chief…of…Staff。〃
After Meade's instructions reached me they were somewhat modified by
General Grant； who on the same evening had received information that
General Hunter； commanding the troops in West Virginia； had reached
Staunton and engaged with advantage the Confederate commander；
General Jones； near that place。 General Grant informed me orally
that he had directed Hunter to advance as far as Charlottesville；
that he expected me to unite with him there； and that the two
commands； after destroying the James River canal and the Virginia
Central road； were to join the Army of the Potomac in the manner
contemplated in my instructions from General Meade； and that in view
of what was anticipated； it would be well to break up as much of the
railroad as possible on my way westward。 A copy of his letter to
Hunter comprised my written instructions。 A junction with this
general was not contemplated when the expedition was first conceived；
but became an important though not the paramount object after the
reception of the later information。 The diversion of the enemy's
cavalry from the south side of the Chickahominy was its main purpose；
for in the presence of such a force as Lee's contracted lines would
now permit him to concentrate behind the Chickahominy； the
difficulties of crossing that stream would be largely increased if he
also had at hand a strong body of horse； to gain the time necessary
for him to oppose the movement at the different crossings with masses
of his infantry。
The order calling for two divisions for the expedition； I decided to
take Gregg's and Torbert's； leaving Wilson's behind to continue with
the infantry in its march to the James and to receive instructions
directly from； the headquarters of the army。 All my dismounted men
had been sent to the White House some days before； and they were
directed to report to Wilson as they could be provided with mounts。
〃COLD HARBOR； VA。； June 6； 1964。
〃MAJOR…GENERAL D。 HUNTER； Commanding Dept West Virginia。
〃General Sheridan leaves here to…morrow morning with instructions to
proceed to Charlottesville； Va。； and to commence there the
destruction of the Virginia Central railroad； destroying this way as
much as possible。 The complete destruction of this road and of the
canal on James River is of great importance to us。 According to the
instructions I sent to General Halleck for your guidance； you will
proceed to Lynchburg and commence there。 It would be of great value
to us to get possession of Lynchburg for a single day。 But that
point is of so much importance to the enemy； that in attempting to
get it such resistance may be met as to defeat your getting into the
road or canal at all。 I see； in looking over the letter to General
Halleck on the subject of your instructions； that it rather indicates
that your route should be from Staunton via Charlottesville。 If you
have so understood it； you will be doing just what I want。 The
direction I would now give is； that if this letter reaches you in the
valley between Staunton and Lynchburg； you immediately turn east by
the most practicable road until you strike the Lynchburg branch of
the Virginia Central road。 From there move eastward along the line
of the road； destroying it completely and thoroughly； until you join
General Sheridan。 After the work laid out for General Sheridan and
yourself is thoroughly done； proceed to join the Army of the Potomac
by the route laid out in General Sheridan's instructions。 If any
portion of your force； especially your cavalry； is needed back in
your department； you are authorized to sen