Abraham Lincoln papers

1 From Ulysses S. Grant to Henry W. Halleck , May 8, 1864

1 After suffering over seventeen thousand casualties at the on May 5-7, Grant did not retreat and instead pushed his army south towards Spotsylvania. In the following telegram Grant advises Halleck of his plans.

Recd Cipher

3.15 p m

Hd Qrs Piney Branch Church

11 a m May 8th 1864

The army commenced moving south at 9 p m yesterday and when close up to the position assigned 2 3 on one days march will stand thus— Genl Warrens Corps at Spotsylvania Court house— Hancocks 4 5 at Todds tavern— Sedgwicks on road from Piney Branch Church to Spotsylvania and Gen Burnside at Aldrichs— It is not yet demonstrated what the enemy will do — but the best of feeling prevails in this army and I feel at present no apprehension for the result. My efforts will be to form a junction 6 with Genl Butler as early as possible and be prepared to beat any enemy interposing— The results of the three days fight at Old Wilderness was decidedly in our favor— The Enemy having a strongly entrenched position to fall back on when hard pressed and the extensive train we had to cover rendered it impossible to inflict the heavy blow on Lees army I had hoped—

2 Gouverneur Warren was commander of the 5th Corps.

3 was commander of the 2nd Corps.

4 John Sedgwick commanded the 6th Corps until he was killed by a on May 9.

5 Ambrose Burnside was commander of the 9th Corps.

6 Benjamin F. Butler

My exact route to the James River I have not yet definately marked out

Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.3293000 U S Grant

Lt Genl

Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.3293000