General John Sedgwick (1813-1864) saw his final combat at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 9, 1864. Confederate sharpshooters were about 1,000 yards (900 m) away, and their shots caused members of his staff and artillerymen to duck for cover. Sedgwick urged his men not to be afraid and said, “What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? Why are you dodging like this? They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist–.”

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