Ulysses S. Grant
Grant convinced Lincoln that he was a strong general after the Union victory at Chattanooga. In March 1864, Grant was brought to Washington and Lincoln gave him command of all Union Armies. When Grant was promoted, he hired General William Sherman to take his place. Grant had hoped to end the war sometime before November. He told Sherman to attack the Confederate army that he was facing. He ordered Sherman to get into the interior of the enemy’s country as far as he could, and to inflict as much damage as possible against their war resources.
This led to the Battle of the Wilderness. Grant moved the Army of the Potomac toward Richmond in May. Lee’s army forced 100,000 Union soldiers into fighting another battle near Chancellorsville. After fighting for two days, Grant’s army had twice as many casualties as Lee’s army. Despite all of their losses, Grant continued to push south. For the first time, the Union army was staying on the attack after the battle. Two days later, another battle began between Grant and Lee. This battle lasted 11 days and was known as the Battle of Spotsylvania.
Between May 5 and May 12, the Union army had around 32,000 casualties and the Confederates had about 18,000. After losing even more men, Grant still continued to push toward Richmond. In early June, another battle began. This battle was called the Battle of Cold Harbor. After half an hour of fighting, the Union already suffered around 7,000 casualties. After failing to capture Petersburg, Grant began a siege of the city, Grant knew that if food was unable to pass through Petersburg to the Confederate capital, Richmond would have to eventually surrender. He ordered Sherman to help the Union win battles and after many wins for the Union, Grant forced the Confederates to surrender and end the war. General Grant was historically significant because his ruling and strong leading led the Union to their biggest victory, winning the Civil War.
This led to the Battle of the Wilderness. Grant moved the Army of the Potomac toward Richmond in May. Lee’s army forced 100,000 Union soldiers into fighting another battle near Chancellorsville. After fighting for two days, Grant’s army had twice as many casualties as Lee’s army. Despite all of their losses, Grant continued to push south. For the first time, the Union army was staying on the attack after the battle. Two days later, another battle began between Grant and Lee. This battle lasted 11 days and was known as the Battle of Spotsylvania.
Between May 5 and May 12, the Union army had around 32,000 casualties and the Confederates had about 18,000. After losing even more men, Grant still continued to push toward Richmond. In early June, another battle began. This battle was called the Battle of Cold Harbor. After half an hour of fighting, the Union already suffered around 7,000 casualties. After failing to capture Petersburg, Grant began a siege of the city, Grant knew that if food was unable to pass through Petersburg to the Confederate capital, Richmond would have to eventually surrender. He ordered Sherman to help the Union win battles and after many wins for the Union, Grant forced the Confederates to surrender and end the war. General Grant was historically significant because his ruling and strong leading led the Union to their biggest victory, winning the Civil War.