Spotsylvania Court House was the second engagement of the Overland Campaign, a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June 1864. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! On May 8, Union cavalry galloped across this land to attack Spotsylvania Court House itself but soon came scrambling back in retreat. For the first time in the Eastern Theatre, the Army of the Potomac went forward after a battle and maintained control of the initiative for the rest of the war. This map attempts to depict the action during that assault. Soldiers injured in battle, Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 1864. The battle raged into the night, the intense firepower of both sides flattening the landscape as soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand fighting at a position that became infamous as "Bloody Angle.". Fighting took place on and off for two weeks with no clear winner. Before the attack on Bloody Angle, Grant had famously sent a cable to Washington stating his intention to “fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.” In the North, alarmingly high casualty reports dashed the war-weary public’s feverishly high hopes as it became clear that Union troops had failed to break the Confederate line. Did you know? In savage action (May 8–19), including hand-to-hand fighting at the famous “Bloody Angle,” Grant, although gaining a little ground, was essentially thrown back. Their movement overnight was slower than had been hoped for, however, and Lee’s Confederates managed to reach the crossroads before the Federals. A day later he met General Robert E. Lee’s army again, 10 miles (16 km) to the southeast at Spotsylvania Court House. On April 9, 1865, near the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. For the next 12 days, Spotsylvania Court House saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the Civil War, with some 18,000 Union and 11,000 Confederate casualties. Battle Of Spotsylvania Courthouse Summary: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was fought May 8 – May 21, 1864 as part of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s 1864 Overland Campaign of the American Civil War. But the resulting Bat… He had lost 18,399 men at Spotsylvania. Battle of Chancellorsville Major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville campaign. Many major battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Rather than abruptly ending this battle troops shifted to engagements at the Battle of North Anna (May 23-26) and the Battle of Cold Harbor (May 31 – June 12) just to the west. With more than 150,000 troops engaged and some 30,000 casualties inflicted during almost two weeks of combat, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House signaled that the very character of the Civil War in the Eastern Theater had changed. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. A lull might have been expected after the Battle of the Wilderness (5–7 May), with both Union and Confederate armies exhausted and disorganized. As it became clear to Grant that his troops could not gain an advantage, however, he disengaged his army on May 21 and ordered his men to continue their flanking march southeast toward Richmond. These articles have not yet undergone the rigorous in-house editing or fact-checking and styling process to which most Britannica articles are customarily subjected. Meeting at Spotsylvania. The two armies clashed hard at Spotsylvania over 12 days. However, Robert E. Lee lost almost a quarter of his troops, yet another devastating blow … Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images. Their destination was the small town of Spotsylvania Court House, a crossroads on the road to Richmond. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, directed the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George Meade, against Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. After the Wilderness, Grant’s and Meade’s advance on Richmond by the left flank was stalled at Spotsylvania Court House on May 8. Late that night, Lee ordered his battered troops to fall back and form a new line a half-mile behind, which had been hastily fortified by Confederate engineers. On May 9, Grant sent the Army of the Potomac’s 2nd Corps, led by Winfield Scott Hancock, to turn the Confederate left; Lee was able to counter the movement on May 10. Union and Confederate forces were facing off to the south and east of Spotsylvania Court House. On the night of 7 May, hours after fighting ended at the Wilderness, Grant began moving his army forward to resume its advance. In May 1864, Confederate forces clashed with the advancing Union Army in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, which lasted for the better part of two weeks and included some of the bloodiest fighting of the Civil War. … Meanwhile, the Union 5th and 9th corps attacked the Confederate left and right, with little success. For nearly 10 months the siege of Petersburg continued, while Grant slowly closed around Lee’s positions. All Rights Reserved. Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was killed by a Confederate Sharpshooter during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Days earlier, Lee had abandoned the ...read more, The Battle of the Wilderness marked the first stage of a major Union offensive toward the Confederate capital of Richmond, ordered by the newly named Union General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant in the spring of 1864. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, (8–21 May 1864), Union failure to smash or outflank Confederate forces defending Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War (1861–65). Lee’s combined losses at…, of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, all in Virginia, and by mid-June he had Lee pinned down in fortifications before Petersburg, Virginia. On May 11, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, General J.E.B. After heavy casualties were sustained on both sides, Sheridan’s men pulled out a victory; in an even more crushing loss for the Confederacy, Stuart was mortally wounded in the battle. As you are well aware, your ever lovable Grey Beard Biker loves military history – and for that matter – United States history. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Spotsylvania-Court-House, American Battlefield Trust - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Military History Encyclopedia on the Web - Battle of Spotsylvania, The Civil War - Battle of the Spotsylvania, National Park Service - History of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Encyclopedia Virginia - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, American Civil War: Spotsylvania Court House. An attempted surprise attack on May 18 failed, costing more Union casualties. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Rushing to build a network of defensive breastworks, trenches and artillery emplacements at Spotsylvania, the rebels stalled the Union advance there beginning on May 8. This contribution has not yet been formally edited by Britannica. But General Ulysses S. Grant pressed on relentlessly with his offensive. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The battle began when the Confederate Army launched a surprise attack on Union forces ...read more. Articles such as this one were acquired and published with the primary aim of expanding the information on Britannica.com with greater speed and efficiency than has traditionally been possible. The Confederates had built a huge salient in their lines pointing north toward the Federals; its shape earned it the name “mule shoe.” Though army engineers deemed the salient too vulnerable to attack, Lee felt that the Confederate cannoneers would be able to defend it against Union attacks. Maps of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864 When Stuart’s men discovered that they now confronted the Union infantry, it became clear that the entire Army of the Potomac was on the move and headed south. After an indecisive battle in the dense Virginia woods known as the Wilderness ended on May 7, Union General Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Potomac marched southward, meeting Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia once again at the crossroads town of Spotsylvania Court House the next day. It shows Ewell's position at the start of the assault and the position he held after the Union forces breached the lines. Spotsylvania Court House 8-21 May 1864. The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House involved numerous attacks from May 8–12 across a broad, shifting front. Omissions? General Philip Sheridan’s troops, which included a brigade led by General George A. Custer, outnumbered the rebels two to one. Sign up for free to create engaging, inspiring, and converting videos with Powtoon. In the meantime, more information about the article and the author can be found by clicking on the author’s name. That afternoon, five Union divisions attacked the Confederate left-center along a mile-wide front, but Lee had reinforced the line, which held strong. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House History >> Civil War The Battle of Spotsylvania was part of a campaign by the Union to push back the Confederate Army deep into Virginia. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Browsing. Stuart’s famed Confederate cavalry made a stand against advancing Union cavalry at nearby Yellow Tavern, six miles north of Richmond. Let us know. This two-week battle was a series of combats along the Spotsylvania front. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1994. Simon Adams is a historian and writer living and working in London. The victories forced the ...read more, The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, took place from April 6 to April 7, 1862, and was one of the major early engagements of the American Civil War (1861-65). ISBN 0-8071-1873-7. Over the 12 days that followed, Union troops briefly broke the Confederate line, but the rebels managed to close the gap and hold their ground. As the Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan River on May 4, ...read more, The battles of Cold Harbor were two American Civil War (1861-65) engagements that took place about 10 miles northeast of Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital. Corrections? Despite the cost, however, Grant’s relentless advance continued: As the Union Army headed for Cold Harbor, another crossroads town located near the battlefield at Gaines’ Mill (site of one of the Seven Days’ battles of 1862), Lee was forced yet again to maneuver his army in between the enemy and the Confederate capital. The regiments almost reached the center of the salient before Confederate artillery was able to force them back to their initial positions; Upton received a promotion for his efforts. Maneuvering continued until 21 May, when the stage was set for the nine-month Siege of Petersburg. Days of heavy rain followed, as Grant shifted his army to the left and looked for weak points in the Confederate line. Fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Questions or concerns? Days earlier, Lee had abandoned the Confederate capital of Richmond and the city of Petersburg; his goal was to rally the remnants of his beleaguered troops, meet Confederate reinforcements in North Carolina and resume fighting. “The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House” Will be Presented by Robert Lee Hodge DATE: Friday, October 11 Location: Big Spring Country Club COCKTAILS: 6:00 P.M. DINNER ($28.00): 7:00 P.M. Although these articles may currently differ in style from others on the site, they allow us to provide wider coverage of topics sought by our readers, through a diverse range of trusted voices. General Grant's decision to move forward to Spotsylvania changed the course of the war. It was fought from May 8 to May 21, 1864.After the Battle of the Wilderness, Union commander Ulysses S. Grant decided to march south to get between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. At dawn on May 12, Hancock’s Union corps attacked the Confederate mule-shoe salient at a section that became known as “Bloody Angle,” capturing most of a rebel division and nearly splitting Lee’s army in half. Late on May 10, a group of 12 Union regiments led by the 24-year-old Colonel Emory Upton assaulted the mule-shoe salient in a daring charge across 200 yards of open ground. Union Assaults on the “Mule Shoe” at Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania Court House: Yellow Tavern and “Bloody Angle”, Spotsylvania Court House: Costly But Inconclusive. Estimated Casualties: 30,000 total (US 18,000; CS 12,000) Description: After the Wilderness, Grant’s and Meade’s advance on Richmond by the left flank was stalled at Spotsylvania Court House on May 8. A Union attack on this new line on 18 May was met with heavy artillery fire and made no impact. On May 12, Grant ordered Hancock to assault Ewell's position in the "mule's shoe" salient. As Grant shifted his forces in preparation for another assault, Lee misunderstood the Union activity and pulled back his artillery to meet a potential flanking maneuver. He aimed to take the crossroads at Spotsylvania, cutting between Lee’s army and Richmond. Interested in participating in the Publishing Partner Program? The First Battle of Cold Harbor, more commonly known as the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, was part of the Peninsula ...read more, The Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30-May 6, 1863) was a huge victory for the Confederacy and General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War, though it is also famous for being the battle in which Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded. The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse pitted the Union army, led by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, against the Confederates led by General Robert E. Lee. Meanwhile, Sherman faced the only other Confederate force of…, …the engagement generally known as Spotsylvania Courthouse, Stuart’s army met defeat (May 11), and he himself was mortally wounded at close range the next day.…. The Confederate cavalrymen encouraged Anderson’s infantry to double-time to Spotsylvania. It pitted Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia against Union General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac and was ...read more, The Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, involved nearly 200,000 combatants, the largest concentration of troops in any Civil War battle. The Battle of Appomattox Court House was fought on April 9, 1865, near the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, and led to Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War. From May 5 to May 12, 1864, the Army of the Potomac lost around 32,000 men (killed, wounded or missing) in the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House--more than for all Union armies combined in any previous week of the war. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Background: Following the bloody stalemate at the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864), Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant elected to disengage, but unlike his predecessors, he decided to keep pressing south. U.S. Grant vs. Robert E. Lee. Lee had correctly deduced that the tiny county seat would be Grant's next objective because whoever controlled the Spotsylvania crossroads would enjoy the inside track to Richmond. As he had done in the Battle of the Wilderness, General Lee himself tried to lead the rebels in a counterattack, only to be ordered to the rear by his soldiers. Glorious charge of Hancock's division (2nd) of the Army of the Potomac- at the battle near Spottsylvania Court House Va., May 12th 1864 LCCN2001700210.tif 6,399 × … Anderson assumed command of Longstreet's corps on May 7 and received orders to make for Spotsylvania Court House before dawn on the 8th. PROGRAM: 8:00 P.M. Meet Our Speaker – Robert Lee Hodge © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Updates? After a weeklong flight westward from Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee briefly engaged Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant before surrendering to the Union at … The battle, which cost 18,000 Union and 11,000 Confederate casualties, included nearly 20 hours of brutal hand-to-hand combat at the infamous “Bloody Angle,” a section of the Confederate salient, on May 12-13. Having observed the Army of the Potomac’s crossing of the Rapidan River on May 4, Lee moved his army into position to confront the enemy in the dense woodland known as the Wilderness, where the first engagement of the Union campaign occurred on May 5-7. Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Losses: Union, 18,000 casualties of 100,000 soldiers; Confederate, 12,000 casualties of 62,000. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, (8–21 May 1864), Union failure to smash or outflank Confederate forces defending Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War (1861–65). The Battle of the Wilderness May 5–6, 1864. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in late ...read more, The Battle of Antietam, also called the Battle of Sharpsburg, occurred on September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. After cavalry charges on 8 May, Lee had his troops the dig a line of field fortifications some 4 miles (6.5 km) long north of Spotsylvania. Grant was actively pursuing his goals of capturing the Confederate capitol of Richmond and wearing out the Confederate army through repeated strong attacks. This was despite just coming off the Battle of the Wilderness before this battle. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-spotsylvania-court-house. An assault by resolute troops charging at a run penetrated the Confederate lines, but the Union soldiers were driven back by counterattacks at the end of the day. The Confederates built an inverted U-shaped line of defense works called a salient or ‘mule shoe,’ which the Union attacked again and again. Fighting raged at Bloody Angle for some 20 hours, in possibly the fiercest sustained stretch of combat of the war. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, … On May 7, the Union Army realized they could not win the Battle of the Wilderness, so Ulysses S. Grant turned his forces southeast to the crossroads at Spotsylvania Court House, hoping to get between the Confederate Army and … The memorial inscription: "Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, commander of the Sixth Corps, was one of the most popular senior officers in the Army of the Potomac.On the morning of May 9, 1864, Sedgwick arrived here to direct some minor redeployment of his troops. On May 19, the Confederates turned the tables with a flank attack on the Union right at Harris Farm; it was repulsed with heavy losses on both sides. Appointed general in chief of all Union armies in February 1864, Ulysses S. … The campaign was called the Overland Campaign and eventually led to the Siege of Petersburg and the end of the Civil War. As darkness settled over northern Virginia on the evening of May 6, 1864, the two-day series of military engagements that would become known as the battle of the Wilderness came to a close. Lee anticipated this move and reacted swiftly. Led instead by Brigadier General John B. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Antigua and Barbuda #2538c pictures the fighting at Spotsylvania.. On May 8, 1864, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House began. Assault Ewell 's position in the Confederate capitol of Richmond and wearing out the Confederate capitol of Richmond Press 1994! 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