"Lee to the rear!"
"Go back, General Lee!"
"We'll settle this!"
They refused to move until their leader had withdrawn. And then with a savage yell they charged and took the field.
Lee sent Longstreet to turn Grant's left as Jackson had done at Chancellorsville. The movement was executed with brilliant success. Hancock's line was smashed and driven back on his second defenses. Wardsworth at the head of his division was mortally wounded and fell into Longstreet's hands. At the height of his triumph in a movement that must crumple Grant's army back on the banks of the river, Longstreet fell, shot by his own men. In the change of commanders the stratagem failed in its big purpose.
In two days Grant lost sixteen thousand six hundred men, a greater toll than Hooker paid when he retreated in despair.
Grant merely chewed the end of his big cigar, turned to his lieutenant and said:
"It's all right, Wilson. We'll fight again."
The two armies lay in their trenches watching each other in grim silence.