Grant's Overland Campaign

What happened

Now general-in-chief of all Union armies, Grant launched a relentless offensive against Lee in Virginia. Through the bloody battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, Grant absorbed enormous casualties but — unlike his predecessors — kept pushing south, pinning Lee's army near Petersburg.

Why it matters

Grant's willingness to accept heavy losses and never retreat began the slow strangulation of Lee's army that would end the war.

Sources

• National Park Service. Ulysses S. Grant's Path to Victory: The 1864 Overland Campaign · Reputable source