Overland Campaign facts for kids
The Overland Campaign was a series of very tough battles during the American Civil War. It happened in May and June of 1864. The main goal for Union General Ulysses S. Grant was to defeat the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. This army was led by General Robert E. Lee. Grant also wanted to capture the Confederate capital city of Richmond, Virginia. These battles were some of the bloodiest of the entire war.
How the Campaign Began
In the spring of 1864, General Grant was put in charge of all Union armies. Grant had a big plan to end the war. He wanted to stop Lee's army from getting more soldiers or supplies. Other Union campaigns, like General William Tecumseh Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, helped Grant's Overland Campaign. Even though George Meade was still officially in command of the Army of the Potomac, Grant was really directing all its moves.
Grant gave specific orders to other generals. He told General Franz Sigel to move through the Shenandoah Valley. This was to stop supplies and extra soldiers from reaching Lee's army. Grant also ordered General Benjamin F. Butler's Union Army of the James to cut the railroad lines between Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. This would cut off Lee's main supply line. Grant hoped these actions would force Lee to attack, even if Lee's army was low on supplies and new soldiers.
All these campaigns were planned to start in early May. Grant's Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan River on May 4. They moved south towards a thick forest area called The Wilderness. This forest was about 70 square miles (180 km²) and had very dense, tangled trees. It was hard to see or move armies there. Lee attacked Grant's army while they were still trying to get through this difficult forest. This first fight was called the Battle of the Wilderness. It marked the start of the Overland Campaign.
Key Battles of the Campaign
The Overland Campaign included several major battles:
- Battle of the Wilderness (May 5 to May 7): About 29,800 soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured (casualties).
- Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 8 to May 21): Around 30,000 casualties.
- Battle of North Anna (May 23 to May 26): About 4,000 casualties.
- Battle of Cold Harbor (May 31 to June 12): Around 15,500 casualties.
Images for kids
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Union staff meeting at Massaponax Baptist Church on May 21, 1864. Grant has his back to the smaller tree with Charles Anderson Dana to his left, while Meade is seated at the far left.
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OC11 Battle of Totopotopotomoy.jpg
Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, May 30, 1864
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Maj. Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith
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Sheridan's return to the Army of the Potomac from his Trevilian Station raid
See also
In Spanish: Campaña de Overland para niños