Painting of General Grant and Staff riding through Union lines on May 7, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness with the men ecstatic and cheering him on.
GRANT IN THE WILDERNESS, MAY 7, 1864: After two days of fighting the Battle of the Wilderness in dense woods, with forest fires raging everywhere, General Grant decided to march General Meade's Army of the Potomac south instead of north to retreat. The men, realizing their fighting and suffering had not been in vain, cheered Grant in a spontaneous and unexpected show of support.
Colonel Porter recalled the scene 30 years later: "While moving close to Hancock's line, there occurred an unexpected demonstration on the part of the troops, which created one of the most memorable scenes of the campaign. Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, the form of the commander was recognized and word was passed rapidly along that the chief who had led them through the mazes of the Wilderness was again moving forward with his horse's head pointed toward Richmond.
"Troops know but little about what is going on in a large army, except the occurrences which take place in their immediate vicinity; but this night ride of the general-in-chief told plainly of the story of success, and gave each man to understand the cry was to be 'On to Richmond!"
--Old Secesh
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