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Overland Campaign: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Strategic Objectives And Planning —
Overland Campaign.
~8 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 4th of May 1864, Union forces crossed the Rapidan River to begin a new phase of the American Civil War. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant directed the Army of the Potomac and other units against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. This campaign marked a shift from previous strategies that targeted Richmond directly. Grant aimed to destroy Lee's army instead of capturing the city itself. President Abraham Lincoln had long advocated this approach for his generals. He recognized that the capital would fall once its main defensive force was lost. Grant ordered Maj. Gen. George G. Meade to follow wherever Lee went. The strategy involved coordinated attacks across multiple theaters. Sherman moved into Georgia to defeat Joseph E. Johnston. Franz Sigel operated in the Shenandoah Valley. Benjamin Butler advanced near Richmond while others attacked rail lines in West Virginia. Nathaniel Banks targeted Mobile, Alabama. This was the first time Union armies executed such a broad offensive plan. Grant prepared to fight a war of attrition if necessary. He intended to hammer continuously against enemy resources until submission became inevitable. Both sides could suffer heavy losses, but the Union possessed greater capacity to replace soldiers and equipment.
The Wilderness Battle Dynamics
Lee forced an engagement within dense scrub brush known as the Wilderness on the 5th of May 1864. Union forces lacked sufficient time to clear the area before fighting began. Early on that day, Warren's V Corps advanced south toward the Plank Road. Ewell's Corps appeared in the west on the Turnpike. Meade halted his army and directed Warren to attack if Confederates were isolated. By 1 p.m., frustration led Meade to order Warren forward before Sedgwick's VI Corps arrived. Brig. Gen. Romeyn B. Ayres took cover in a gully to avoid enfilading fire. His brigade failed to advance while Bartlett's men overran John M. Jones's position. Jones died during the clash. Bartlett's right flank remained exposed, forcing his unit back across the clearing. The Iron Brigade under Lysander Cutler struck Alabamians commanded by Cullen A. Battle. Confederate counterattacks tore through their lines. Near Higgerson farm, Roy Stone and James C. Rice attacked Georgians and North Carolinians. Both assaults failed under heavy fire. A field caught fire during hand-to-hand combat at captured artillery pieces. Men from both sides burned to death as wounded comrades perished nearby. Fighting continued until nightfall with neither side gaining advantage. On May 6, Hancock's II Corps attacked Hill at 5 a.m. Longstreet's column moved cross-country in darkness and lost its way. At 10 a.m., Longstreet resumed his main attack but was wounded by his own men. He remained out of action until October.
Spotsylvania And The Bloody Angle
At dawn on May 8, Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry staked out Laurel Hill ridge. Warren's men pulled up within 100 yards north of the line. Multiple attacks by V Corps divisions were repulsed with heavy casualties. Sedgwick's VI Corps arrived near Laurel Hill in the afternoon. By 7 p.m., both corps began coordinated assaults that failed against heavy fire. On May 9, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick inspected his VI Corps line when a sharpshooter shot him through the head. He died instantly. Horatio G. Wright replaced him. Grant ordered Hancock to cross the Po River and attack Confederate left flank. Hancock delayed until morning, allowing Jubal Early to move two divisions into position. On May 12, Col. Emory Upton led 5,000 men in four battle lines against a weak point on the Mule Shoe. His plan worked initially, but no supporting units arrived. Confederates organized vigorous counterattacks and drove Upton out. Heavy rain fell as fighting continued day and night at what became known as the Bloody Angle. Gunpowder turned wet and unusable, forcing massive close-quarters struggles. Union casualties reached about 9,000 while Confederate losses totaled around 8,000. The landscape flattened completely as foliage was destroyed. Despite reverses, Grant planned to use Upton's tactics with Hancock's entire corps. Lee received intelligence suggesting Grant might withdraw toward Fredericksburg. He ordered artillery withdrawn from Allegheny Johnson's division to prepare for movement rightward. This order did not reach units until 3:30 a.m. on May 12, just before Hancock's assault began.
Cavalry Raids And Stuart Death
On May 9, over 10,000 of Sheridan's troopers rode southeast with 32 artillery pieces. They moved behind Lee's army to strike Confederate supply lines. The column stretched for miles and reached Beaver Dam Station that evening. Sheridan's men destroyed railroad cars and locomotives along the Virginia Central Railroad. They rescued almost 400 captured Union soldiers. Stuart moved his 4,500 troopers to intercept them between Sheridan and Richmond. Forces met at noon on May 11 at Yellow Tavern, an abandoned inn north of Richmond. Union forces outnumbered Confederates three divisions to two brigades. All Union troops carried rapid-firing Spencer carbines. Confederate troopers resisted tenaciously from low ridgelines bordering the road to Richmond. A countercharge by the 1st Virginia Cavalry pushed advancing Union troopers back. As the 5th Michigan Cavalry streamed past Stuart, he was shot while shouting encouragement. He died in Richmond the following day. Fighting continued for an hour after Stuart fell under temporary command of Fitzhugh Lee. Sheridan led troops southward toward Richmond on May 11. He found himself only two and half miles from his objective but saw enemy swarming intermediate defenses. His left flank bordered the swollen Chickahominy river while Confederate cavalry threatened his rear. Sheridan decided to force a crossing at Meadow Bridge where the Virginia Central Railroad spanned the water. Custer's 5th Michigan Cavalry used snipers to suppress rifle fire while dismounted troopers crossed damaged railroad bridges. By mid-afternoon, Merritt's entire division had crossed and engaged Confederate hasty works on Richmond Heights. Sheridan destroyed the Virginia Central Bridge to prevent pursuit. After resupplying with Butler, Sheridan returned to join Grant at Chesterfield Station on May 24.
North Anna River Maneuvers
Grant's army totaled approximately 68,000 men depleted from battle losses and expired enlistments. Lee commanded about 53,000 soldiers. For the first time in the campaign, Lee received sizable reinforcements including three brigades from Pickett's division totaling around 6,000 men. Two additional brigades came from Breckinridge's command for 2,500 men. On the morning of May 23, Warren and Hancock approached the North Anna without significant fortifications ahead. A small South Carolina brigade under John W. Henagan created a dirt redoubt at Chesterfield Bridge. Hancock's men overwhelmed this force which fled across the bridge. Union sharpshooters discouraged attempts to burn the bridge downstream. At Jericho Mills, Warren found an unprotected ford and established a beachhead south of the river. Lee convinced Hill that Warren's movement was merely a feint. Hill sent only one division led by Cadmus M. Wilcox to handle the threat. Union troops were taken by surprise but supported by three artillery batteries slowed Confederate advance until reinforcements arrived. By evening of May 23, Lee understood a major battle was developing. He devised a five-mile inverted V shape line with apex on Ox Ford. The western line reached southwest to Little River while eastern forces extended through Hanover Junction behind swampy terrain. Lee's men worked overnight to complete fortifications. On May 24, Hancock crossed Chesterfield Bridge with Gibbon's division leading. Grant assumed Confederates were retreating and wired Washington accordingly. Burnside's IX Corps dealt with opposition at Ox Ford. Ledlie's brigade attacked Confederate earthworks alone despite being drunk. Mahone's Mississippi troops stepped out of works and shot down two Massachusetts regiments. Despite his performance, Ledlie received praise from division commander and was promoted afterward.
Cold Harbor Assault And Aftermath
Grant planned to leave North Anna in another wide swing around Lee's flank marching east of Pamunkey River. Supply depots moved to Port Royal then White House on Pamunkey before final positioning. On May 27, Union cavalry established bridgehead over Dabney's Ford on south side of river. Custer's Michigan cavalry scattered mounted pickets guarding the ford. An engineer regiment constructed pontoon bridge allowing infantry crossing. At Haw's Shop on May 28, Hampton rode off from Atlee Station. Gregg's troopers ran into dismounted Confederates erecting breastworks made of logs and rails. Davies deployed pickets from 10th New York Cavalry but they were driven back. A Confederate mounted charge followed by dismounted troopers was repulsed. Hampton fed green troops of 4th South Carolina who met Davies next charge with longer range Enfield rifles killing or wounding 256 men. Torbert's reserve brigade under Wesley Merritt extended Gregg line thwarting flanking maneuver attempted by Chambliss. Custer inspired men by staying mounted as he led forward attack. Forty-one Union cavalrymen fell during heavy rifle and artillery fire. By nightfall Hampton's cavalry safely west of Totopotomoy Creek despite claims of victory from both sides. Grant began general advance on May 30 sending Wright corps against Hill while Hancock attacked Breckinridge center. Warren moved west toward Early along Shady Grove Road. Lee ordered Early to attack V Corps assistance Anderson provided. Rodes marched directly into Hardin's Pennsylvania Reserves at noon routing them. Crawford entire division collapsed exposing left flank. Ramseur charged Union artillery recklessly at 6:30 p.m. Willis mortally wounded leading Pegram's brigade before it fell back. Meade ordered general assault across line relieving pressure on Warren. Warren extricated himself without additional assistance. Ramseur's failed attack discouraged Early ordering withdrawal short distance west.
When did the Overland Campaign begin and who commanded Union forces?
The Overland Campaign began on the 4th of May 1864 when Union forces crossed the Rapidan River. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant directed the Army of the Potomac against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
What happened during the Battle of the Wilderness on the 5th of May 1864?
Lee forced an engagement within dense scrub brush known as the Wilderness on the 5th of May 1864 where fighting continued until nightfall with neither side gaining advantage. A field caught fire during hand-to-hand combat causing men from both sides to burn to death while wounded comrades perished nearby.
How did Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick die during the Overland Campaign?
Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick died instantly on the 9th of May 1864 when a sharpshooter shot him through the head while he inspected his VI Corps line. Horatio G. Wright replaced him immediately after the incident.
Where did the Battle of Yellow Tavern take place and what was the outcome for J.E.B. Stuart?
Forces met at noon on the 11th of May 1864 at Yellow Tavern which is an abandoned inn north of Richmond. Confederate cavalry leader J.E.B. Stuart was shot while shouting encouragement and died in Richmond the following day.
Why did Grant plan to leave North Anna by swinging east of the Pamunkey River?
Grant planned to leave North Anna in another wide swing around Lee's flank marching east of the Pamunkey River to avoid direct confrontation with fortifications. Supply depots moved to Port Royal then White House on Pamunkey before final positioning.