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Why was the battle of wilderness important?

Updated: 8/17/2019
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12y ago

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The battle at the Wilderness was important because it was the first battle fought between Grant and Lee, and the first of a series of "total war" attacks by Grant in an attempt to destroy all Confederate military forces and economic structures. It also terribly disoriented both armies due to the high number of casualties (about 17% of either side). Neither side really won the battle, but the North did get a slight upper hand in the end. This battle made the "right flank" of the Confederate Army apparent, and was ultimately was symbolic of the end of the Confederate Sates and the end of Lee's victories in the Civil War, or the "War of Northern Aggression" as the south called it.

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15y ago
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12y ago

It demonstrated that Grant was not afraid of taking casualties. He had already ended the system of prisoner-exchange. Now he would force the fighting until Lee ran out of manpower.

IMPROVEMENT.

For the first time from the outbreak of Civil War, the Army of Potomac, after having sustained a setback or, better said in this case, a stalemate, didn't retreat but advanced towards Richmond, forcing Lee's Army to follow in order to prevent of being separated from its Capital City.

By so doing, Grant started a new phase of his strategy based upon the "Strategic Intimidation", by which eventually managed to deprive Lee of his "freedom of movements" and indissolubly pinned him down to the Richmond defence.

Also Lee was a master in developing the same strategy and he made a good use of that sending the II Corp of his Army, under Gen. Early, to the Shenandoah Valley with the goals of get rid of the Union Forces there and then menace Washington. By that mean he gave several troubles to Grant during his Overland Campaign, succeeding (partly) in delaying the final act of the campaign until Sheridan destroyed the Confederate forces in the Valley, joining then the Army of Potomac.

Of course, the final outcome was mainly possible thanks to the Union Army's great superiority in number and means.

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Related questions

Why was the battle of the wilderness important to the north?

They really enjoyed fie


What was important about the wilderness battle?

Grant was defeated but did not retreat. He continued to force the fighting.


Who were other important people in the wilderness battle?

soldiers and general grant are two important people in the war


Did the Battle of the Wilderness lead to another war?

The battle of Wilderness led to the battle of Spotsylvania.


When did Battle of the Wilderness happen?

Battle of the Wilderness happened in 1864.


Where was the wilderness battle?

It was in the wilderness near Spotsillevania, VA


Is the battle of the Wilderness and the battle of todd's tavern the same?

Todd's Tavern was a cavalry fight on May 4, 1864 and was one battle of the entire Battle in the Wilderness.


What year was Battle in the Wilderness?

The year the Wilderness battles occurred was 1864.


Was the Battle in the Wilderness close to the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Although the battlefield was roughly the same, the Battle of Wilderness Tavern or The Wilderness was fought one year later than that of Chancellorsville, from May 3rd to May 6th, 1864.


How long did the Battle of the Wilderness last?

The Battle of the Wilderness occured on May 5-7, 1864. Therefore it lasted 2 days.


Who won at the battle of the wilderness?

grant won the battle, the union army


What battle happened on May 5 to 7 1864?

The Battle of the Wilderness