Battle of the Wilderness, 1864
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Modern Era
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5 comments
| Ulysses S. Grant versus Robert E. Lee: A Confederate army under Lee forces a Union general under Grant to do battle in the wilderness - literally rough, shrubby terrain. Which side is more willing and capable of accepting casualties in this attritional contest? Click on images below to view PowerPoint presentation. | Legend |
 The real significance of this battle is how the Federal high command, specifically Grant, kept their resolve to defeat the Confederacy. Instead of viewing this battle as a setback, Grant could view it as a victory because he furthered his strategic goal to advance south.
In such an inconclusive battle, it is somewhat odd explaining why neither side decisively won or lost. Terrain is partly responsible; the rough wilderness reduced both sides’ ability to maneuver and attack, giving the battle a World War I feel in how it played out. However, both sides had chances to decide the battle in their favour. Burnside’s ineptness left the gap in the Confederate center to be just that, a gap, and Longstreet’s unfortunate accident brought his own attack to a grinding halt.
 This is another one of those battles that has been scheduled for quite some time and just kept getting delayed by the many other great battles. Admittedly, I should have animated an American Civil War battle much sooner and that this battle is no the most interesting of that conflict. Why not Gettysburg? Chattanooga? Vicksburg? Antietam? The reason is quite simple: my friends over at www.historyanimated.com have a solid section for the American Civil War (take a look at the bottom of this page for the link) and I wanted to avoid overlap as much as possible. As much as possible. Mr. Cagney does cover the Battle of the Wilderness in his “Grant’s Overland Campaign” animation but it is naturally not covered as extensively as his other single battle animations. Other instances, the battle fits too well with the season that I animate it anyways. Cowpens is coming soon to both of our sites while Brandywine and Okinawa will eventually be featured on both as well.
- Jonathan Webb
Works Consulted
Davis, William C. Rebels & Yankees: The Battlefields of the Civil War. New York: Salamander, 1991.
Dupuy, Trevor N. The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History: From 3500 BC to the Present, Fourth Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 1991.
MacDonald, John. Great Battles of the Civil War. New York: MacMillan, 1988.
Scott, Robert Garth. Into the Wilderness with the Army of the Potomac. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985.
Images
Confederate soldiers: http://www.4thtexas.de/
Federal soldiers: http://www.nps.gov/frsp/wilder.htm
George G. Meade: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_G._Meade
Robert E. Lee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee
Ulysses S. Grant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant
Tell a Friend:
            Tags: 1800s, American Civil War, American Civil War - Grant's Overland Campaign, Confederates, envelopment of a single flank, Federals, George G. Meade, infantry, land, Modern Era, North America, penetration of the center, Robert E. Lee, Season 4, Ulysses S. Grant
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5 Comments to “Battle of the Wilderness, 1864”
I would say that the Confederacy won this in a tactical sense in that they pushed pack Grant’s army while taking less casualties and that fighting in the woodlands hurt the Union more than the South. Also, I think that Gordon’s attack on the right flank of the Union line was actually a pretty stinging blow, they captured over 1000 prisoners.
By ben w. on Aug 1, 2009 at 4:52 am
From a Confederate perspective, at best this battle could be called a draw. In order for it to be called a Tactical victory, the Army of the Potomac would have had to withdraw, as it had done so many times before.
However, Grant’s decision, after stabilizing his lines, to continue his advance South meant he retained the initiative, and significantly enhanced Union morale. These factors outweigh casualty lists, which are typically higher for attacking forces in this era. Combine this with the fact that the Confederacy’s manpower problems could not sustain these types of losses for ever and the hat tip, both tactically and strategically, must go to Grant.
By David R. on Feb 27, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Great animation — but why are the Confederates blue and the Union red?
Just seems a bit counter-intuitive…
By Matt C. on Oct 5, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Matt C: Thanks for the nod. Forgive me for not adhering to the traditional colours; blame it on me being Canadian I suppose.
By Jonathan Webb on Oct 15, 2010 at 5:11 pm
wow this is true
By lane on Mar 29, 2011 at 4:56 pm