Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/79

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 53 any weak spot in the enemy s front, with a view to penetrate it. On September 29, Butler s forces were ordered to make an advance upon the works at Deep Bottom. Fort Harrison, the strongest work north of the James, was captured, with 15 guns and several hundred prisoners. On the 30th the enemy made three attempts to retake it by as sault, but was each time repelled with heavy loss. On the same day Meade moved out and carried two redoubts and a line of rifle-pits at Peebles s farm, two miles west of the Weldon railroad. On October 1, Meade s left was attacked; but it suc cessfully repelled the assault, and he advanced his line on the 2d. Butler lost, in the engagements of the 29th and 30th, 394 killed, 1,554 wounded, and 324 missing. Meade lost, from September 30 to October 2, 151 killed, 510 wounded, and 1,348 miss ing. On October 19 y Sheridan s army was attacked by Early at Cedar Creek. Sheridan, who was on his return from Washington, rode twenty miles from Winchester, turned a defeat into a decisive victory, captured 24 guns, 1,600 prisoners, and 300 wagons, and left the enemy a complete wreck. On October 27, Butler was ordered to make a demon stration against the enemy s line in his front, and had some fighting. At the same time, Meade moved out to Hatcher s run; but Gen. Lee was found strongly intrenched, the ground very diffi cult, and no assault was attempted. In the after-