Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
At a glance:
- Series: Magill’s Guide to Military History
- Categories: Military History
- Subcategories: Wars, Battles, American Civil War, Civil Wars, Coups
- Curriculum: American Civil War & Reconstruction Era (1856-1877)
- Geographical Location: Virginia
- Date: May 8-20, 1864
Article abstract: Type of action: Ground battle in the American Civil War. Result: Indecisive series of battles in the 1864 Overland Campaign.
Following the Battle of the Wilderness (May, 1864), Ulysses S. Grant tried to slip around Robert E. Lee’s right and seize Spotsylvania Court House. However, vigilant Confederates beat the Union forces to this crucial crossroads early on May 8. Lee’s men erected field fortifications and fierce fighting developed as the armies converged. On May 10, a compact mass of Union soldiers pierced the Mule Shoe salient in the...
[The entire page is 338 words long]
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