In this episode of Civil War Generals 2: Why would the armies here in the east not have guns that fire through the trees? You have nothing BUT trees here in the east. Well.. Not so much anymore but in 1864 you did. Damnit.
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Music was added for this episode, Music added:
From the game Sluggish Morss (offers a free download of the game on the main Bandcamp page): https://jackking-spooner.bandcamp.com/track/come-into-my-garden
Rail Yard Ghosts: https://railyardghosts.bandcamp.com/track/instrumental
The Overland Campaign signaled a strategic change in the objectives of the Union army. For much of the Civil War, the Federal offensives were aimed at capturing the Confederate capital, Richmond in Virginia. Numerous battles had taken place in the attempt to take Richmond, but the Federal forces had so far failed in their objective.
Many of the failures were put down to hesitation from several Union generals, who had failed to take full advantage of victories against their Confederate opponents. The Union President, Abraham Lincoln, had become increasingly frustrated by the lack of aggressive leadership, and appointed Grant as overall commander, believing he had the skills and the character to deliver the final blow to the rebels.
By the time he appointed Grant, Lincoln had come to the conclusion that the primary goal should not be the taking of Richmond but the destruction of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, which was under the command of General Robert E. Lee. If that army was defeated, Lincoln believed, then the Confederates would be unable to hold Richmond.
Grant was in total agreement with Lincoln, and together they devised a plan of campaign to crush the Confederate army. For the first time in the Civil War, the Union forces would try to inflict serious damage on Confederate forces by undertaking a concerted, coordinated series of attacks in different geographical areas. This strategy would seriously restrict opportunities for the Confederates to move their forces around.
The Union Army of the Potomac would launch an offensive on the Confederate forces close to Richmond. At the same time, offensives would be launched in the Shenandoah Valley, General Sherman was to lead an attack on Georgia to try to take Atlanta, troops under the command of Nathaniel Banks would try to take Mobile, Alabama, and units under the command of William W. Averill and George Crook would concentrate on disrupting Confederate railroad supply lines in West Virginia.
The first battle of the Overland Campaign was the Battle of the Wilderness, which took place between May 5 and May 7. Grant had mobilized his army and his troops began crossing the Rapidan River on May 4, into an area known as the Wilderness. The terrain was rough and covered with scrub and bramble, making it very difficult to move through at pace.
Grant’s aim was to engage the Confederates at every opportunity, and his tactical approach differed completely from his predecessors. Previous battles in the Civil War had been notable for the Union forces being extremely cautious in their advances. Often, offensive campaigns would be delayed until all the supplies needed had been brought forward and divisions consolidated. These delays usually served to give the enemy time to build defensive earthworks, to occupy strategic sites that made assault very difficult, and to bring in reinforcements.
Under Grant, the Union army was ordered to continually push forward, regardless of the consequences. Despite protests from some of his officers, Grant insisted that attacks should be launched through the Wilderness.
What Grant did not know was that General Lee had correctly guessed where Grant was likely to attack, and he had dispatched troops to the Wilderness area. Lee’s soldiers were hidden in woods, and launched a surprise attack on the Union soldiers on May 5, and the Battle of the Wilderness began.
Over the next three days, there were huge losses on both sides. Union casualties were much higher than Conservative casualties, and the Federal army had failed to gain significant ground.
Music was added for this episode, Music added:
From the game Sluggish Morss (offers a free download of the game on the main Bandcamp page): https://jackking-spooner.bandcamp.com/track/come-into-my-garden
Dirtface Daredevils: Company Town ( cannot find a link for the song)
Rail Yard Ghosts: https://railyardghosts.bandcamp.com/track/instrumental
