As Belgium had
been for centuries the cockpit of Europe, so the wild and sterile region
in Virginia that men call the Wilderness became the cockpit of North
America.
While Lee and his army were turning into the Wilderness Grant and the
greatest force that the Union had yet assembled were seeking him.
It was composed of men who had tasted alike of victory and defeat,
veterans skilled in all the wiles and stratagems of war, and with hearts
to endure anything. In this host was a veteran regiment that had come
East to serve under Grant as it had served under him so valiantly in
the West. Colonel Winchester rode at its head and beside him rode his
favorite aide, young Richard Mason. Not far away was Colonel Hertford,
with a numerous troop of splendid cavalry.
Grant, alert and resolved to win, carried in his pocket a letter which he
had received from Lincoln, saying:
Not expecting to see you before the spring campaign opens, I wish to
express in this way my entire satisfaction with what you have done up to
this time, so far as I understand it. The particulars of your plans I
neither know nor seek to know. You are vigilant and self-reliant, and,
pleased with this, I wish not to obtrude any constraints or restraints
upon you.
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