By early spring of 1864, the Union army's objective of taking the Confederate capital in Richmond remained, though General Ulysses S. Grant had another objective as well. In the Overland Campaign, Grant's primary objective was to defeat the Confederate armies in the field. From the Wilderness to Cold Harbor, Grant's army pursued Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. During the battle of Cold Harbor, Grant's army suffered crushing losses trying to take Richmond. After the failure at Cold Harbor, Grant had his men pack up and move south of the James River, with the railroads leading into Petersburg as the new target. Petersburg would be his back door to Richmond.

Explore the military movements and decision-making skills of two great generals, as Grant's army made their move south, and Lee's army adjusted to this change in strategy. Read their correspondence referencing this military action.