He could do only what was possible. To stay yonder was impossible. And
the scarred veteran of thirty-three years, came back pale and in
despair.
Lee had struck his last great blow, and it had failed.
XVII.
THE WRESTLE FOR THE WHITE OAK ROAD.
It is unsafe to wound the wild-boar, unless the wound be mortal. To
change the figure, Grant had parried the almost mortal thrust of Lee;
and now, with the famous hammer lifted and whirled aloft, aimed the
final and decisive blow at the crest of his great adversary.
On Wednesday, March 29th, the Federal commander commenced the general
movement, which had for its object the destruction of Lee's right wing,
and the occupation of the Southside road.
Before dawn, the masses of blue infantry began to move westward across
the Rowanty, laying down bridges over the watercourses, as the columns
passed on; and on the night of the same day, the corps of Humphreys and
Warren were near Dinwiddie Court-House with their extreme right
guarded, by Sheridan's cavalry.
Such was the work of Wednesday. The great moment had evidently arrived.
Lee penetrated at a single glance the whole design of his adversary;
collected about fifteen thousand men, nearly half his army, and leaving
Longstreet north of the James, and only a skirmish line around
Petersburg, marched westward, beyond the Rowanty, to meet the enemy on
the White Oak road.
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