132 MILITARY HISTORY OF to which in pitched battle every general is liable- especially as Grant felt assured that he could ac- complish his purpose by other means and with less loss of life, even if it took a little longer. The same strategy, even the same daring, appropriate enough in a subordinate commander in a distant theatre, would have been unseasonable and inexpedient in the general-in-chief, at the head of the principal army of the nation, and at a critical moment in the history of the state, when every check was magni- fied by disloyal opponents into irremediable disaster, and a serious defeat in the field might entail political ruin to the cause for which all his battles were fought. For, with all his willingness to take risks in cer- tain contingencies, with all his preference for aggres- sive operations, Grant was no rash or inconsiderate commander. He was able to adapt his strategy to the slow processes of a siege as well as to those imminent crises of battle when fortune hangs upon the decision of a single moment. At times audacious in design or incessant in attack, at others he was cautious, and deliberate, and re- strained; and none knew better than he when to remain immovable under negative or apparently unfavorable circumstances. At present he be- lieved the proper course in front of Petersburg to be-to steadily extend the investment towards the Southside road, while annoying and exhaust- ing the enemy by menaces and attacks at various points, preventing the possibility of Lee's detach- ing in support of either Hood or Early, and him- self waiting patiently till the moment should come to strike a blow like those he had dealt earlier in the war.