Grant's Campaign

“Grant’s Campaign in Virginia. Repulse of Lee’s night attack on Smith’s Brigade, Hancock’s Corps, Friday, June 3rd, 1864. After the fearful battle of Friday, when Grant so gallantly attempted to force the passage of the Chickahominy and actually carried some of Lee’s works, a lull ensued, and night was fast coming on in a universal stillness. But, suddenly, when nearly eight o’clock and as twilight was just vanishing, Hancock’s Corps heard in the Confederate Corps heard in the Confederate works just by them the words of command. At once all was in motion, every man at his post. They had not long to wait. Over the intervening crest, clearly defined in the gathering darkness, came Beauregard’s men. As the line appeared, Smith’s Brigade of Gibbons’s Division poured in a volley which pierced the darkness like a flash of lightning. Volley after volley is given, but they press on the Division of Barlow and Gibbons and the left of Wright’s Corps. These gallant fellows welcomed their antagonists of the morning, and drove them back with terrible loss. This repulse of the Confederates closed the bloody work of the day, which stands the fiercest action of war."— Frank Leslie, 1896

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