On the 10th, Hancock was ordered to attack with the 2d, 5th and 6th Corps. The assault was made about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, with not altogether satisfactory result. Mott's Division was on the left of the 6th Corps.
On the 11th, the only movement was by Mott's Division, acting under orders to develop a weak spot in the enemy's line. The outcome of this reconnoissance was Grant's order of the 11th, for an assault at precisely 4 a.m. of the 12th, "with all possible vigor, the preparations to be conducted with the utmost secrecy, and veiled entirely from the enemy."
Battle of Spottsylvania.
The heavy fog delayed the start one hour.
The objective point was the salient, where, after the conflict, lay Lee's soldiers piled one upon another, just as they fell.
The rebel captured numbered 4000, among them Major-General Edward Johnson, Division Commander, and Brigadier-General Stewart, commanding a Brigade; a score of guns, with horses, caissons and ammunition, and several thousand small arms.
Loss to the Regiment, 9 men killed, 1 officer and 27 men wounded.
It was on May 13th, that Grant in a letter to the Secretary of War made use of the memorable words, "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer."
On the 13th, Grant recommended our old Brigade Commander, Carroll, for promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General.
Mott's Division was reduced to a Brigade, and assigned to Birney's Division.