0 men, the Maryland Line, details from hospitals,
conscripts, militia of Governor Smith's call (fifty to fifty-five
years of age), and a foreign legion of forced aliens.( 5)

This plan, if ever formed, comprehensive as it may have been in
conception, was never to be even partially put in execution. It
probably originated in the fertile imagination of the rebel officer
from whom Halleck obtained it.

In March, 1864, an equally comprehensive plan was conceived by
Longstreet, then at Greenville, Tennessee, by which Beauregard was
to lead an advance column from the borders of North Carolina through
the mountain passes, Longstreet to follow through East Tennessee,
uniting with Beauregard in Kentucky, and, together, move against
the line of railway from Louisville, and thus force Sherman to
retire from Johnston's front, allowing him to advance northward,
avoiding general battle until all the Confederate columns could
form a grand junction on or near the Ohio River. This plan was
approved by Lee, and by both Lee and Longstreet laid before President
Davis and the War Department at Richmond. Davis disapproved it.

Another plan, submitted by Bragg (then "Commander-in-Chief near
the President"), received the approval of Davis. By this Johnston
was to march to the headwaters of the Little Tennessee River,
Longstreet to the east of Knoxville and join Johnston, and, united,
they were to march west into Middle Tennessee and break the Union
line of supplies about Nashville. Though some orders were issued
looking to the execution of this plan, it was not seriously attempted,
as Joe Johnston regarded it as impracticable.( 6) Longstreet, with
the part of his command that had served in Virginia, was, early in
April, transferred to the Rapidan. Grant alone moved his armies
to the execution of his campaigns as planned.

_Wilderness_

Not until May 2d did Meade send orders to his corps for the movement
on the 4th across the Rapidan. On the day of starting he issued
a stirring and patriotic address to his soldiers.( 7) Grant had
determined to attack and turn Lee's right flank.( 8)

As soon in the early morning as engineers could lay pontoons the
cavalry crossed the river at Ely and Germanna Fords, and cleared
the way for the infantry. Hancock's (Second) corps crossed at
Ely's Ford and marched to the vicinity of Chancellorsville. Warren's
(Fifth) corps, with Sedgwick's (Sixth) following, crossed at Germanna
Ford. Warren proc