Changes

[[Battle of the Wilderness]] (May 5–7, 1864): On May 4, Grant crossed the Rapidan River and attempted to move through the Wilderness, a dense growth of scrub on and near the site of the [[Battle of Chancellorsville]], before Lee could catch up. The Army of Northern Virginia, however, was able to catch the Army of the Potomac, forcing the armies to fight within the scrub forest, negating Union artillery superiority. In doing so, Lee won a tactical victory, dealing 17,000 casualties while only taking 7500. Rather than withdrawing to recover, however, Grant ordered the army southeast to the important crossroads of Spotsylvania Courthouse in an attempt to move around Lee's right.

[[Battle of the Wilderness]] (May 5–7, 1864): On May 4, Grant crossed the Rapidan River and attempted to move through the Wilderness, a dense growth of scrub on and near the site of the [[Battle of Chancellorsville]], before Lee could catch up. The Army of Northern Virginia, however, was able to catch the Army of the Potomac, forcing the armies to fight within the scrub forest, negating Union artillery superiority. In doing so, Lee won a tactical victory, dealing 17,000 casualties while only taking 7500. Rather than withdrawing to recover, however, Grant ordered the army southeast to the important crossroads of Spotsylvania Courthouse in an attempt to move around Lee's right.

[[Spotsylvania Courthouse]] (May 8–21): Lee again beat Grant to the new battlefield, building strong breastworks and trenches. Grant attempted to attack a [[salient]] known as the mule shoe, sovering heavy casualties at what became known as [[The Bloody Angle of Spotsylvania]]. Again Grant disengaged to the South, attempting to move around Lee's right flank.

[[Spotsylvania Courthouse]] (May 8–21): Lee again beat Grant to the new battlefield, building strong breastworks and trenches. Grant attempted to attack a [[salient]] known as the mule shoe, suffering heavy casualties at what became known as [[The Bloody Angle of Spotsylvania]]. Again Grant disengaged to the South, attempting to move around Lee's right flank.

[[Yellow Tavern]] (May 11): [[General Phillip Sheridan]]'s cavalry force had been released to track down and defeat [[General J.E.B. Stuart's]] Confederate cavalry. At Yellow Tavern, the two cavalry forces met and Stuart was mortally wounded.

[[Yellow Tavern]] (May 11): [[General Phillip Sheridan]]'s cavalry force had been released to track down and defeat [[General J.E.B. Stuart's]] Confederate cavalry. At Yellow Tavern, the two cavalry forces met and Stuart was mortally wounded.