Ulysses S. Grant      On February 29, 1864, Ulysses S. Grant was appointed General-in-Chief of the Union Army, and the war is starting over.  As soon as Grant received the news, he met with General Sherman.  Grant’s plan was that Sherman would go after Joe Johnston while he would go after Robert E. Lee, the General of the Confederates. Grant once said: “The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike at him as hard as you can and as often as you can, and keep moving on.” Grant’s strategy was different from all the others. He believed the Union should focus on the Confederate army and not the Confederate capital.

As Grant marched passed the Ripidan River he met Lee in Virginia in the battle called The Wilderness. After two days of long fighting Lee was able to stop Grant's offensive charge, but Grant decided to slip out and move south.  The total killed was 2,246, and it didn't matter to Grant and the Union Army moved on.  Grant and Lee meet again at Spotsylvania. During the first phase Colonel Upton, a Union commander, tried to penetrate the Confederates, but failed.  Grant was attempting to find the flanks of the Confederates. Lee stopped him again. Union Losses were huge 14,267. Once again it didn't stop the Union from moving on.

Philip Sheridan, a Union commander, was just a little south of Grant fighting in the battle of Yellow Tavern. Sheridan opponent was J.E.B. Stuart. The North was able to claim victory because Stuart was wounded and could not continue.  On May 23rd Grant arrived at Totpotomy Creek and Lee wasted no time in attacking. However, Grant was able to escape and move south. Philip Sheridan

The fourth battle began at Cold Harbor. Grants army was reinforced to 100,000 men. Grant ordered several assaults; the Confederates stopped all.  In one hour, Grant had lost 7,000 men.  The Union retreated and moved south.  The Union's total losses were 13,078.

Sheridan teamed up with Grant to cause confusion within the Confederates. No side was able to claim victory.

Crossing the James was the final battle of the Overland Campaign.  Grant got help from the Navy and moved Lee in place to take over Petersburg.

Grant's strategy confused the south. No other commander kept going except Grant. The Overland Campaign was very successful it led the Union into Petersburg and to take over Richmond.  Grant's strategy of not retreating worked and he led the Union to claim victory.

View Overland Campaign Map

Grant                                                                         Lee

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Candace Scott "Ulysses S. Grant Home Page", Jan. 1, 1999http://www.mscomm.com/~ulysses/ (30 Oct. 2000).

Geoffrey C. Ward, "The Civil War", Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1990

William Loren Katz, "An Album of the Civil War", Franklin Watts, Inc., 1974

Brett Eakin