That ended all hopes of forcing the lines of the Chickahominy. The
Federal commander gave up the attempt in despair, and resumed his
Wandering-Jew march. Moving still by the left flank, he hastened to
cross James River and advance on Petersburg. But Lee was again too
rapid for him. In the works south of the Appomattox the gray infantry,
under the brave General Wise, confronted the enemy. They repulsed every
assault, and Grant sat down to lay siege to Richmond from the distance
of thirty miles.
Such had been the great campaign of the summer of 1864 in Virginia. Lee
had everywhere stood at bay, and repulsed every attack: he had also
struck in return a great aggressive blow, in Maryland.
At Cold Harbor, early in June, news had arrived that a Federal column,
under Hunter, was advancing on Lynchburg. A force was sent to intercept
Hunter, under the command of Early. That hard fighter crossed the
mountains; attacked his adversary; drove him beyond the Alleghanies;
and then, returning on his steps, hurried down the Shenandoah Valley
toward the Potomac, driving every thing before him. Once at the
Potomac, he hastened to cross into Maryland. Once in Maryland, Early
advanced, without loss of time, upon Washington. At Monocacy he met and
defeated General Wallace; pressed after him toward Washington; and
reaching the outer works, advanced his lines to the assault.
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