Civil War Encampment and Re-enactment
November 7, 2009
Wilderness I Battle

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought between May 5 and May 7, 1864. It was part of Grant's Overland Campaign. Grant wanted to attack in the Wilderness to counter the artillery and manpower advantage of Lee's forces. Because of the brush and trees in the fighting, many men burned to death in the fires that resulted from cannon and musket firing. The battle was technically a draw with casualty estimates of about 30,000 between the 2 sides over the course of 3 days.