First WildernessSoniya and Laura Hr. 6-7Civil War

Overview• May 5-6 (1864)

• Spotsylvania, Virginia

• Two day battle

• Combats at Parker’s Store, Craig’s Meeting House, Todd’s Tavern, Brock Road, the Furnaces .

• The most horrific of all battles

North/ Union

South/ Confederates

Why did it start?

• General Grant

• Richmond

• Protect the town

• Engage Lee’s forces Until they were destroyed

Disadvantages• Invisible

• Area caught on fire

• Lost their way

1st Day in the wilderness

• Union :Started: 102,000

• Confederates: 61,000

• Fierce and chaotic

• conf. corps led by Richard Ewell with Unions 5th corps

• Grant –attack 4:00 a.m.

2nd day in the wilderness

• A lot of smoke and fog

• Trees made it difficult

• Worst day in the wilderness

• Near the Orange Plank Rd.

Who won the battle?

• Many call it a draw

• North had advantages

• Lee had turned both

Grant’s flanks, and in the process nearly destroyed the Army of the Potomac. 

What is it like now?

VIDEO http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/battle-of-the-wilderness-scenes-from-wicked-spring

http://www.civilwar.org/photos/galleries/wilderness/wilderness-battlefield.html