Location: Spotsylvania County 

             Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign (May-June 1864) 

             Date(s): May 5-7, 1864 

             Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen.
                       George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] 

             Forces Engaged: 162,920 total (US 101,895; CS 61,025) 

             Estimated Casualties: 29,800 total (US 18,400; CS 11,400) 

             Description: The opening battle of Grant’s sustained offensive against
                  the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, known as the Overland
                  Campaign, was fought at the Wilderness, May 5-7. On the morning of
                  May 5, 1864, the Union V Corps attacked Ewell’s Corps on the Orange
                  Turnpike, while A.P. Hill’s corps during the afternoon encountered
                  Getty’s Division (VI Corps) and Hancock’s II Corps on the Plank Road.
                  Fighting was fierce but inconclusive as both sides attempted to
                  maneuver in the dense woods. Darkness halted the fighting, and both
                  sides rushed forward reinforcements.  At dawn on May 6, Hancock
                  attacked along the Plank Road, driving Hill’s Corps back in confusion.
                  Longstreet’s Corps arrived in time to prevent the collapse of the
                  Confederate right flank. At noon, a devastating Confederate flank
                  attack in Hamilton’s Thicket sputtered out when Lt. Gen. James
                  Longstreet was wounded by his own men. The IX Corps (Burnside)
                  moved against the Confederate center, but was repulsed. Union
                  generals James S. Wadsworth and Alexander Hays were killed.
                  Confederate generals John M. Jones, Micah Jenkins, and Leroy A.
                  Stafford were killed. The battle was a tactical draw. Grant, however,
                  did not retreat as had the other Union generals before him. On May 7,
                  the Federals advanced by the left flank toward the crossroads of
                  Spotsylvania Courthouse. 

             Result: Draw (Grant continued South.)