It was at noon this day that General Meade issued the following address to his army:
“Soldiers! The moment has arrived when your commanding officer feels authorized to address you in terms of congratulation.
“For eight days and nights, without almost any intermission, through rain and sunshine, you have been fighting a desperate foe in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrenchments. You have compelled him to abandon his fortifications on the Rapidan, to retire and to attempt to stop your progress, and now he has abandoned the last intrenched position, so tenaciously held, suffering in all a loss of eighteen guns, twenty-two colors, eight thousand prisoners, including two general officers.
“Your heroic deeds, noble endurance of fatigue and privation, will ever be memorable. Let us return thanks to God for the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuance.
“Soldiers! Your work is not over. The enemy must be pursued, and, if possible, overcome. The courage and fortitude you have displayed renders your commanding general confident that your future efforts will result in success. * * *
“We shall soon receive reenforcements, which he cannot expect. Let us determine, then, to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and, under God’s blessing, in a short time the object of our labors will be accomplished.”
Upon the next day—the 14th—the enemy, although he had fallen back, still held tenaciously to the Court House. By this time General Meade’s line stretched at right angles across the Fredericksburg and Spottsylvania roads, leaving on its right the corps of General Hancock, and on the right centre the Ninth corps of General Burnside. General Warren held the left, and General Wright the left centre. The position of the enemy was now that of a semi-circular line of earthworks, with rifle-pits here and there. These works were well established, on commanding heights, the entire position being flanked on right and left by dense woods. The enemy was still busily engaged in strengthening his breastworks; and General Grant’s troops were speedily armed with spades, so that on both sides the work of intrenching went forward diligently.
During this time much severe fighting was done on the extreme left.
The next day was the Sabbath—the 15th of May—and one of the few Sabbaths which passed without a battle when the opposing armies confronted each other. Reconnoissances were made by both Unionists and rebels, and positions in every direction were still further strengthened, for all felt that a momentous movement was close at hand. The pickets exchanged occasional shots, and the dense woods flanking the enemy’s strong defences were shelled severely, for the purpose of driving out any lurking foes who might be concealed there. Late in the afternoon a brief but sharp engagement took place between a force of the enemy and Birney’s division, in which the rebels were defeated and suffered considerable loss.
On the 16th the roads were found to be in such a condition from the recent rains that any movement against the enemy was impracticable. During the afternoon a fresh breeze sprang up, and the sun shone down with almost tropical intensity. The roads dried up rapidly, and on the 17th they were found to be in good condition. The sun still shining brightly, continued to dry them up so well that a movement was decided on for Wednesday. These days of rest had greatly refreshed the army; the troops were in fine health and spirits, and eager for work.