Overland Campaign: Throwing Men Into the Meat Grinder of the US Civil War

Q: What were the goals of the Overland Campaign of 1864?

In the Overland Campaign of 1864, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had two overarching goals: destroy Robert E. Lee's Confederate army and capture the Confederate capital of Richmond.

Q: Where was the Overland Campaign fought?

During the American Civil War, the Overland Campaign was fought in northern and central Virginia.

Q: How Many Men Were Killed or Wounded in the Overland Campaign?

The Overland Campaign of 1864 led to around 80,000 casualties - about 55,000 for the Union and 30 to 35,000 for the Confederates.

Q: How did the Overland Campaign contribute to the Union Victory?

The Overland Campaign contributed to the ultimate Union victory in the American Civil War because it depleted the fighting strength of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, which was, at the end of the campaign, bottled up in Petersburg.

Q: Who fought the Overland Campaign of 1864?

The Overland Campaign of 1864 was fought by the Union Army of the Potomac, under generals Ulysses S. Grant and George G. Meade, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee.

Harrison W. Mark

Definition

The Overland Campaign (4 May to 12 June 1864) was a major Union offensive into Virginia, launched during the final year of the American Civil War (1861-1865). It saw the Union Army of the Potomac fight the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in five important engagements:

More about: Overland Campaign

Timeline

9 Mar 1864
Ulysses S. Grant is made general-in-chief of all Union armies.
4 May 1864
The Army of the Potomac crosses the Rapidan River, beginning the Overland Campaign.
5 May 1864 - 6 May 1864
The Battle of the Wilderness results in a stalemate.
7 May 1864
Despite the horrendous losses he sustained at the Wilderness, Grant continues pressing south and heads toward Spotsylvania.
8 May 1864 - 21 May 1864
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
11 May 1864
Battle of Yellow Tavern; J. E. B. Stuart is mortally wounded.
23 May 1864 - 26 May 1864
Battle of North Anna; Union and Confederate armies try to maneuver around one another as they take parallel routes toward Cold Harbor.
31 May 1864 - 12 Jun 1864
Battle of Cold Harbor.
12 Jun 1864
Grant abandons his entrenchments at Cold Harbor and heads for the James River. End of the Overland Campaign.