One of the things that makes the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse so fascinating is the contradictions. So as a hint of an upcoming article I give you this excerpt from a well-known work.
The threatening attitude of Hancock’s attacking column, as indicated by the noise of the preparations going on in front of the salient during the night, had not been communicated to General Lee. The announcement of the disaster was the first news which came to him of this movement of the enemy.
This is from “General Lee in the Wilderness Campaign” by Charles S. Vernable, Lieutenant-Colonel, C.S.A., of General Lee’s Staff
Of course Col. Vernable would have wanted to protect Gen. Lee’s reputation, but how does it fit with the story of that fateful 24 hours?
In the article we will probably notice more conflicting accounts.
The Mule Shoe, Facts and Myths 