Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/75

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ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 49 wounded, and missing, while Lee s loss was prob ably not more than 2,500. The campaign had now lasted thirty days. Grant had received during this time about 40,000 re-enforcements, and had lost 39,259 men 6,586 killed, 26,047 wounded, and 6,626 missing. Lee had received about 30,000 re- enforcements. There are no official figures as to his exact losses, but they have been estimated at about equal to his re-enforcements. Sherman had now reached Kenesaw, within thirty miles of Atlanta; and on the 7th news arrived that Hunter, who had succeeded Sigel, had gained a victory and had seized Staunton, on the Virginia Central railroad. Grant made preparations for transferring the Army of the Potomac to the south side of James river, to operate against Petersburg and Richmond from a more advantageous position. The army was, withdrawn from the enemy s front on the night of June 12, and the crossing of the river began on the 13th, and occupied three days. A force had also been sent around by water, by York and James rivers to City Point, to move against Petersburg. On the 15th the advanced troops attacked the works in front of that place; but, night coming on, the successes gained were not followed up by the com manders, and the next morning the position had been re-enforced and strengthened. An assault was made on the afternoon of the 16th, which was