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June 4th, 1864 
The Army of the Potomac sat in the trenches of Cold harbor, brought to a standstill by Robert E. Lee's soldiers. Since crossing the Rapidan River on March 3rd, the Union Army had lost 55,000 men attacking the Confederate defenses around Richmond. Southern losses were not as heavy, but every foot soldier was irreplaceable, and the Union Army had killed, wounded, or captured 22 of Lee's 58 Generals. . . . Grant's 115,000 troops had to cross the James River. After each battle, Grant's troops had slipped off to the left and swung back towards Richmond, only to find the roads blocked with Southern breastworks. Checked at Cold Harbor with 13,000 casualties, Grant began slipping to the left on the night of June 11th. Lee suspected Grant would cross the James River but the Union Army held Lee's scouts at a distance. Unable to move without leaving Richmond unguarded, Lee waited for the Army of the Potamac to reappear. Grant had shifted his point of attack from Richmond to Petersburg. Defended by over 60,000 Confederates, Richmond had five supply lines, four of which passed through Petersburg, which was guarded by only about 2,200 men. To reach Petersburg, Grant's 115,000 troops had to cross the James River. |
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Exhibit |
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Grant's Crossing |
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Interpretations |