The army is in the best of spirits, and feel the greatest confidence of ultimate success.

* * * * * * You can assure the President and Secretary of War that the elements alone have suspended hostilities, and that it is in no manner due to weakness or exhaustion on our part.
U.S.GRANT, Lieut.-General.
The condition of the roads was such that nothing was done on the 17th.
But that night Hancock and Wright were to make a night march back to their old positions, and to make an assault at four o'clock in the morning.

Lee got troops back in time to protect his old line, so the assault was unsuccessful.

On this day (18th) the news was almost as discouraging to us as it had been two days before in the rebel capital.
As stated above, Hancock's and Wright's corps had made an unsuccessful assault.

News came that Sigel had been defeated at New Market, badly, and was retreating down the valley.