Battle of the Wilderness

The Army of the Potomac’s push toward capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia began in early May, 1864 with the Battle of “The Wilderness.” This push was part of a strategy devised by Ulysses S. Grant, Commanding General of the Union Army. General Grant’s objective was to destroy Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army and, with it, the defense of Richmond. The Army of the Potomac, under General Grant, was ordered to not retreat or stop fighting.