Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, USA
What happened
Grant and Meade's Union Army of the Potomac fought Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. After the Wilderness, Grant tried to reach the crossroads at Spotsylvania Court House, but Lee's army got there first and dug long lines of earthworks. For two weeks the Union army made repeated attacks, including a huge assault on 12 May at a bulge in the line called the Mule Shoe. Lee's lines held, and on 21 May Grant moved southeast again.
Why it matters
It was the costliest battle of the Overland Campaign. Both sides claimed victory: the Confederates held their ground, but the Union kept its campaign going while Lee's losses were harder to replace.
What came next
The armies fought again at the North Anna River and Cold Harbor. Grant then crossed the James River to attack Petersburg, which led to a nine-month siege.
Did you know?
The battle is named after Spotsylvania Court House, the crossroads both armies were racing to reach.
Timeline
- 8 May 1864Fighting begins.
- 12 May 1864Union assault on the Mule Shoe.
- 18 May 1864Further Union attacks fail.
- 21 May 1864Grant moves southeast again.