One of the generals, obviously thrown by the events on our right flank, come to my command post and said, “General Grant, this is a crisis that cannot be looked upon too seriously. I know Lee’s methods well by past experience ; he will throw his whole army between us and the Rapidan, and cut us off completely from our communications.”

I am afraid I lost my temper.  I replied, “Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing about what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command, and try to think what we are going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do.”

The Battle of the Wilderness, Gordon Rhea, Chpt 8

Campaigning with Grant, Horace Porter, p 69-70