Battle of the Wilderness facts for kids

The Battle of the Wilderness was a battle of the American Civil War. It was the first battle of the Overland Campaign. It was fought from May 5 to 7, 1864. A Union army commanded by U.S. Grant started marching south to capture Richmond, Virginia. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee, attacked Grant's army in an area called the Wilderness. After two days, Grant wasn't able to defeat Lee's army. He then decided to move the Union army southward to get between Lee and Richmond. This resulted in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. This was a battle that was considered inconclusive

Images for kids

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  A map of Southeastern Virginia

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  Initial positions in the Wilderness, 7 a.m., May 5, 1864

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  Union troops cross the Rapidan

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  View of the front of Ellwood Manor, originally built around 1790 by William Jones. During the battle this structure, then owned by J. Horace Lacy, was used as the headquarters of Gouverneur Warren. Ellwood is the last remaining structure from the Battle of the Wilderness still standing today.

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  Actions in the Wilderness, May 5, 1864 (Additional map)

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  Actions in the Wilderness, May 6, 1864

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  Confederate troops capture part of the Union breastworks near the Brock Road

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  Actions in the Wilderness, 2 p.m. until dark, May 6

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  Former proposed location of the Walmart Supercenter

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  U.S. postage stamp, 1964 5-cent issue, Battle of the Wilderness centennial commemorative stamp

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  6–10 a.m., May 6. Longstreet counterattacks

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  Skulls remaining on the field and trees destroyed at the Battle of the Wilderness, 1864.

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  Half stereo detail of Lt George Chancellor Co E 9th Virginia Cavalry on the Wilderness Battlefield, standing at some Confederate breastworks near Palmer's field on the Orange Turnpike – George Oscar Brown, 1866