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The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864
The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7–12, 1864 continues Gordon C. Rhea’s peerless treatment of the Civil War’s clash of Grant’s Army of the Potomac versus Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Inlaid with detail, innovative analysis, riveting prose, and an abundance of supporting primary evidence, it is a worthy sequel to Rhea’s first, acclaimed work, The Battle of the Wilderness, May 5–6, 1864.
Here Rhea examines the maneuvers and battles from May 7, 1864, when Grant left the Wilderness, through May 12, when his attempt to break Lee’s line by frontal assault reached a chilling climax at what is now called the Bloody Angle.
After suffering severe casualties in the Wilderness, Lee had no choice but to curb his aggressive instincts and prepare for a defensive battle at Spotsylvania. Perfecting the art of fieldworks (which foreshadowed the trenches in France during World War I), he orchestrated his threadbare veterans in a defensive performance that ranks as a classic in military history. Grant, sworn to destroy Lee’s army, had to solve the knotty problem of penetrating his adversary’s confounding, well-appointed earth-works. He mounted a volley of assaults that proved slaughterous for both armies and led to a turning point in his strategic thinking. Contributing to the carnage were advances in weaponry that by 1864 had outstripped the Napoleonic warfare of the day. The result was massive on May 12 alone, Lee lost eight thousand men; Grant, nine thousand.
Rhea draws exhaustively upon previously untapped materials―most notably contemporary newspaper accounts and diaries and letters only recently made available―to construct the definitive account of Grant and Lee at Spotsylvania. Here for the first time is a detailed description of the cavalry’s role in the campaign, from the grim fighting at Todd’s Tavern through Philip Sheridan’s Richmond raid and Jeb Stuart’s mortal wounding at Yellow Tavern. Here, too, are fresh and challenging interpretations that often contradict conventional wisdom.
When May 13 dawned to an eerie silence, there was no clear victor of the previous days’ battles. As Rhea states in his epilogue, the end was not yet in sight. The wily Lee and bulldog Grant would soon meet again.
Here Rhea examines the maneuvers and battles from May 7, 1864, when Grant left the Wilderness, through May 12, when his attempt to break Lee’s line by frontal assault reached a chilling climax at what is now called the Bloody Angle.
After suffering severe casualties in the Wilderness, Lee had no choice but to curb his aggressive instincts and prepare for a defensive battle at Spotsylvania. Perfecting the art of fieldworks (which foreshadowed the trenches in France during World War I), he orchestrated his threadbare veterans in a defensive performance that ranks as a classic in military history. Grant, sworn to destroy Lee’s army, had to solve the knotty problem of penetrating his adversary’s confounding, well-appointed earth-works. He mounted a volley of assaults that proved slaughterous for both armies and led to a turning point in his strategic thinking. Contributing to the carnage were advances in weaponry that by 1864 had outstripped the Napoleonic warfare of the day. The result was massive on May 12 alone, Lee lost eight thousand men; Grant, nine thousand.
Rhea draws exhaustively upon previously untapped materials―most notably contemporary newspaper accounts and diaries and letters only recently made available―to construct the definitive account of Grant and Lee at Spotsylvania. Here for the first time is a detailed description of the cavalry’s role in the campaign, from the grim fighting at Todd’s Tavern through Philip Sheridan’s Richmond raid and Jeb Stuart’s mortal wounding at Yellow Tavern. Here, too, are fresh and challenging interpretations that often contradict conventional wisdom.
When May 13 dawned to an eerie silence, there was no clear victor of the previous days’ battles. As Rhea states in his epilogue, the end was not yet in sight. The wily Lee and bulldog Grant would soon meet again.
504 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
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370 people want to read
About the author
Gordon C. Rhea
20 books54 followersMr. Rhea is a nationally acclaimed historian. He has lectured extensively on topics of military history at the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, at several National Military Parks, and at historical societies and civil war round tables across the country. He had been a member of numerous boards of directors of historical societies, magazines, and historic preservation organizations, including the Civil War Library and Museum, Philadelphia, and North and South magazine. Mr. Rhea has appeared on History Channel, A&E Channel, and Discovery Channel in programs related to American history and has written scores of articles for various scholarly and popular publications. His books, which are considered authoritative in their fields, include:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 19, 2020
The second volume in the magisterial five volume study of the Overland Campaign. The author details the fighting at the Bloody Angle as well as the demise of Jeb Stuart at Yellow Tavern. I found the author's style to be highly readable and he intersperses direct quotes from the participants into the narrative. The series is,in my opinion, the finest treatment the Overland campaign has yet received. Definitely worth your time if you are looking to understand the campaign in detail.
September 21, 2018
In The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864, Gordon C. Rhea charts the maneuvers and battles from May 7, 1864, when Union General Ulysses S. Grant broke convention and flanked Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia after the Battle of the Wilderness, through May 12, when his attempt to break Lee’s entrenched army by frontal assault reached a chilling climax at what is now called the Bloody Angle.
Drawing on previously untapped materials, Rhea challenges conventional wisdom to construct a detailed and thorough account of Grant and Lee at Spotsylvania, including the rise of Union cavalry commander Philip Sheridan and death of the legendary J.E.B. Stuart. This is the second of a five volume series on General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign during the American Civil War.
In the aftermath of the Wilderness, General Grant learned from his mistakes, but familiar problems still shadowed his army. At Spotsylvania, Ambrose Burnside continued to conduct the IX Corps at a glacial pace. His failings “… were so flagrant that the army talked about them openly.” While Sheridan’s ride south in pursuit of J.E.B. Stewart earned him fame and resulted in Stewart’s death, it also deprived Grant of the eyes and ears of his army at a critical time. The result was eight days of brutal combat, with little to show for it. Once again, Grant’s divided command was a hindrance.
The Battle of Spotsylvania showed Grant’s stubborn determination and persistence, but Rhea puts the blame squarely on Grant for his failure to decisively defeat Lee. Grant’s impulsiveness and impatience undermined what was otherwise a sound strategy. He imposed unrealistic timetables and gave little time for preparation, so plans that looked good on paper failed miserably in execution. As the battle progressed, Grant took an increasingly active role and sidelined Maj. Gen. Meade. Meade was unable or unwilling to temper Grant’s more aggressive tendencies.
Rhea did not let General Lee off the hook, generally praising his conduct but arguing he made two critical mistakes. First, he failed to recognize the importance of Spotsylvania Courthouse. It was only quick thinking by Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson that saved his army from disaster.
Second, he ordered the withdrawal of artillery from a salient in his lines (known as the Muleshoe), leaving it essentially indefensible. Confederate artillery chief Porter Alexander believed they could have used artillery to devastating effect against the Northern assault, perhaps stopping it altogether. Lee himself admitted this was a fatal mistake.
Gordon C. Rhea (born March 10, 1945) is a military historian specializing in the Overland Campaign in Virginia during the American Civil War. He is a graduate of Indiana University, Stanford Law School, and Harvard University and is a practicing attorney in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. His other books include To the North Anna River (2000), The Battle of the Wilderness (1994), and Cold Harbor (2002).
Drawing on previously untapped materials, Rhea challenges conventional wisdom to construct a detailed and thorough account of Grant and Lee at Spotsylvania, including the rise of Union cavalry commander Philip Sheridan and death of the legendary J.E.B. Stuart. This is the second of a five volume series on General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign during the American Civil War.
In the aftermath of the Wilderness, General Grant learned from his mistakes, but familiar problems still shadowed his army. At Spotsylvania, Ambrose Burnside continued to conduct the IX Corps at a glacial pace. His failings “… were so flagrant that the army talked about them openly.” While Sheridan’s ride south in pursuit of J.E.B. Stewart earned him fame and resulted in Stewart’s death, it also deprived Grant of the eyes and ears of his army at a critical time. The result was eight days of brutal combat, with little to show for it. Once again, Grant’s divided command was a hindrance.
The Battle of Spotsylvania showed Grant’s stubborn determination and persistence, but Rhea puts the blame squarely on Grant for his failure to decisively defeat Lee. Grant’s impulsiveness and impatience undermined what was otherwise a sound strategy. He imposed unrealistic timetables and gave little time for preparation, so plans that looked good on paper failed miserably in execution. As the battle progressed, Grant took an increasingly active role and sidelined Maj. Gen. Meade. Meade was unable or unwilling to temper Grant’s more aggressive tendencies.
Rhea did not let General Lee off the hook, generally praising his conduct but arguing he made two critical mistakes. First, he failed to recognize the importance of Spotsylvania Courthouse. It was only quick thinking by Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson that saved his army from disaster.
Second, he ordered the withdrawal of artillery from a salient in his lines (known as the Muleshoe), leaving it essentially indefensible. Confederate artillery chief Porter Alexander believed they could have used artillery to devastating effect against the Northern assault, perhaps stopping it altogether. Lee himself admitted this was a fatal mistake.
Gordon C. Rhea (born March 10, 1945) is a military historian specializing in the Overland Campaign in Virginia during the American Civil War. He is a graduate of Indiana University, Stanford Law School, and Harvard University and is a practicing attorney in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. His other books include To the North Anna River (2000), The Battle of the Wilderness (1994), and Cold Harbor (2002).
March 8, 2022
The second of Gordon Rhea's five-volume opus on the Overland Campaign of May-June 1864,
The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864, covers the brutal battles that took place at Spotsylvania CH after failing to defeat the Confederates in the Wilderness. Especially murderous was the face-to-face combat at the Bloody Angle. There were the battles in which Grant tried to command the Army of the Potomac himself, only to find that its corps commanders were not quite up to snuff except, perhaps, Hancock. After a series of defensive victories, Lee held his ground, forcing Grant to attempt to again maneuver around Lee's right. Of course, the casualties were enormous on both sides, but the Union could afford this sort of attrition much more readily than the Confederacy. Both armies would continue to maneuver and fight in the coils of the tributaries of the Mattapony as they moved closer to the North Anna river, and Richmond. As usual, Rhea's sparkling prose and the well-drawn maps keep the reader engaged and entertained through this bloody tale.
The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864, covers the brutal battles that took place at Spotsylvania CH after failing to defeat the Confederates in the Wilderness. Especially murderous was the face-to-face combat at the Bloody Angle. There were the battles in which Grant tried to command the Army of the Potomac himself, only to find that its corps commanders were not quite up to snuff except, perhaps, Hancock. After a series of defensive victories, Lee held his ground, forcing Grant to attempt to again maneuver around Lee's right. Of course, the casualties were enormous on both sides, but the Union could afford this sort of attrition much more readily than the Confederacy. Both armies would continue to maneuver and fight in the coils of the tributaries of the Mattapony as they moved closer to the North Anna river, and Richmond. As usual, Rhea's sparkling prose and the well-drawn maps keep the reader engaged and entertained through this bloody tale.
October 26, 2025
In Ken Burn’s documentary The Civil War , the narrator, David McCullough, notes that the conflict “was fought in 10,000 places…” It is these place names that your eyes would otherwise glaze over amongst the thousands of other small towns and villages across the nation. But because of what happened there, places like Antietam, Missionary Ridge, and Appomattox take on new meaning. America’s bloodiest day, a gallant uphill charge, and an eerie, peaceful stillness instantly come to mind when thinking of them. Some are funny or ironic; Shiloh, for instance, means place of peace.
When reflecting on the Civil War in memory, most of the grand battles of that war are remembered with a sort of short-sighted romanticism. If someone is asked to picture Gettysburg, they're more likely to remember Joshua Chamberlain’s epic downhill charge rather than the thousands of human bodies left to bloat in the oppressive July sun. I think the reason why is that Gettysburg, for all the horror of those three days, accomplished something . The Confederacy was turned back, the Union regained the initiative in the east, and the north finally had something to cheer them on along with the concurrent triumph at Vicksburg.
Yet, when the names of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and, perhaps most infamously, Spotsylvania Courthouse are uttered, the image created in one’s mind more closely mirrors the hopeless, indecisive warfare of World War I that accomplished little more than the incredible wastage of human lives (whether this is true or not, I defer to those interested in that conflict). It is of men contending in the mud and rain, up close and personal, with no certain triumph or defeat accomplished by either side and made all the more depressing by the fact that the armies would soon move south and do the same again.
That is the subject (mostly) of Gordon Rhea’s The Battles for Spotsylvania Courthouse and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864 . The workmanlike title belies the true nature of this book. This is easily one of the most solid battle studies I have ever read.
Rhea has written an entire series on the Overland Campaign but I started with this one purely for the fact that the first book about the Battle of the Wilderness was not at the particular Half-Price Books that I was perusing. Not that it matters much, I imagine; this book is mainly focused on war from an operational and tactical level. You're also given enough background in the introduction section that it isn’t necessary to read the first book to understand what is going on. Grant and Lee reached a stalemate in the Wilderness and both generals are now looking for what to do next.
The movements of both armies and the battle actions are described in very lucid detail. Rhea gives you a very detailed picture of how the battles played out without getting too bogged down in just listing a bunch of units, a common pitfall of this genre. The closest he comes to doing this is describing the alignment of individual corps, divisions, and brigades. Because of that, I found that this book flowed a lot better than other battle narratives. Individual regiments are named when appropriate to give more context but it is never obtrusive.
I should also mention that a fantastic set of maps and a very good order of battle helps to visualize how things played out. Spotsylvania Courthouse was a very large and complicated battle, a lot more like the prolonged fights in World War I rather than the Napoleonic style clashes of earlier in the conflict. Yet Rhea explains everything in such clear language that it is surprisingly easy to follow along.
Rhea also does a very good job of describing what the battle looked, smelled, sounded, and felt like. His prose is a lot more creditable than I expected. Not that he reaches the same level of poetic imagery as someone like Bruce Catton, for example, but this is definitely beyond what some other historians are capable of. Amidst the titanic maneuvers and clashes of arms, he always manages to pull in some fascinating anecdote or quote to really bring the scene to life. Oftentimes when historians seek to quote participants, it feels very jarring and out of place because they are far more descriptive and emotional than the surrounding text. Not so here.
I think it is really hard to create an engaging narrative out of just one single battle of Grant’s Overland Campaign. What makes that campaign so fascinating to study is that it was a relentless series of bloody battles, one after the next, with no single fight seemingly able to turn the tide. Yet Rhea accomplishes this by structuring his book in a sort of day by day, minute by minute structure that really emphasizes the set piece moments and missed opportunities.
The book opens with the race to Spotsylvania after the cataclysmic fight in the Wilderness, then the futile assaults on Laurel Hill on May 8th and the piecemeal attacks on May 10th, before climaxing in what is, arguably, the single most horrific confrontation of the war at the Muleshoe Salient. Concurrent to the confrontation at Spotsylvania is Sheridan’s daring yet pointless raid that climaxes in a fight at Yellow Tavern where Confederate cavalier J.E.B. Stuart is killed. Although I already knew the outcome of these battles, I was still kept in much suspense, such is the quality of the writing.
At the end of the day, Grant can’t coordinate his forces effectively enough to break Lee. Yet, while he can’t kill Lee, he begins the process of mortally wounding him. Lee, for his part, fights well but is bottled up in Virginia and can find few opportunities to retake the initiative. Sheridan’s raid leaves Grant blind but his aggressiveness is a dark omen of the Confederate future and a bright indicator of the cavalryman’s willingness to wage relentless war in Virginia. Little has been settled immediately, but the picture of the future is becoming increasingly clear. As the smoke and mist lifts above the hellish scene at the Muleshoe, the next great movement towards the south is about to begin.
I’m not going to say that this book is likely to appeal to people who aren’t Civil War buffs; it probably won’t. But this is still an excellent history that may have fallen under the radar of some. I think if you enjoyed Stephen Sears Civil War books, Rhea’s series is definitely worth a look. I will certainly be seeking out his volumes on the Wilderness and Cold Harbor when I can find the time.
When reflecting on the Civil War in memory, most of the grand battles of that war are remembered with a sort of short-sighted romanticism. If someone is asked to picture Gettysburg, they're more likely to remember Joshua Chamberlain’s epic downhill charge rather than the thousands of human bodies left to bloat in the oppressive July sun. I think the reason why is that Gettysburg, for all the horror of those three days, accomplished something . The Confederacy was turned back, the Union regained the initiative in the east, and the north finally had something to cheer them on along with the concurrent triumph at Vicksburg.
Yet, when the names of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and, perhaps most infamously, Spotsylvania Courthouse are uttered, the image created in one’s mind more closely mirrors the hopeless, indecisive warfare of World War I that accomplished little more than the incredible wastage of human lives (whether this is true or not, I defer to those interested in that conflict). It is of men contending in the mud and rain, up close and personal, with no certain triumph or defeat accomplished by either side and made all the more depressing by the fact that the armies would soon move south and do the same again.
That is the subject (mostly) of Gordon Rhea’s The Battles for Spotsylvania Courthouse and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864 . The workmanlike title belies the true nature of this book. This is easily one of the most solid battle studies I have ever read.
Rhea has written an entire series on the Overland Campaign but I started with this one purely for the fact that the first book about the Battle of the Wilderness was not at the particular Half-Price Books that I was perusing. Not that it matters much, I imagine; this book is mainly focused on war from an operational and tactical level. You're also given enough background in the introduction section that it isn’t necessary to read the first book to understand what is going on. Grant and Lee reached a stalemate in the Wilderness and both generals are now looking for what to do next.
The movements of both armies and the battle actions are described in very lucid detail. Rhea gives you a very detailed picture of how the battles played out without getting too bogged down in just listing a bunch of units, a common pitfall of this genre. The closest he comes to doing this is describing the alignment of individual corps, divisions, and brigades. Because of that, I found that this book flowed a lot better than other battle narratives. Individual regiments are named when appropriate to give more context but it is never obtrusive.
I should also mention that a fantastic set of maps and a very good order of battle helps to visualize how things played out. Spotsylvania Courthouse was a very large and complicated battle, a lot more like the prolonged fights in World War I rather than the Napoleonic style clashes of earlier in the conflict. Yet Rhea explains everything in such clear language that it is surprisingly easy to follow along.
Rhea also does a very good job of describing what the battle looked, smelled, sounded, and felt like. His prose is a lot more creditable than I expected. Not that he reaches the same level of poetic imagery as someone like Bruce Catton, for example, but this is definitely beyond what some other historians are capable of. Amidst the titanic maneuvers and clashes of arms, he always manages to pull in some fascinating anecdote or quote to really bring the scene to life. Oftentimes when historians seek to quote participants, it feels very jarring and out of place because they are far more descriptive and emotional than the surrounding text. Not so here.
I think it is really hard to create an engaging narrative out of just one single battle of Grant’s Overland Campaign. What makes that campaign so fascinating to study is that it was a relentless series of bloody battles, one after the next, with no single fight seemingly able to turn the tide. Yet Rhea accomplishes this by structuring his book in a sort of day by day, minute by minute structure that really emphasizes the set piece moments and missed opportunities.
The book opens with the race to Spotsylvania after the cataclysmic fight in the Wilderness, then the futile assaults on Laurel Hill on May 8th and the piecemeal attacks on May 10th, before climaxing in what is, arguably, the single most horrific confrontation of the war at the Muleshoe Salient. Concurrent to the confrontation at Spotsylvania is Sheridan’s daring yet pointless raid that climaxes in a fight at Yellow Tavern where Confederate cavalier J.E.B. Stuart is killed. Although I already knew the outcome of these battles, I was still kept in much suspense, such is the quality of the writing.
At the end of the day, Grant can’t coordinate his forces effectively enough to break Lee. Yet, while he can’t kill Lee, he begins the process of mortally wounding him. Lee, for his part, fights well but is bottled up in Virginia and can find few opportunities to retake the initiative. Sheridan’s raid leaves Grant blind but his aggressiveness is a dark omen of the Confederate future and a bright indicator of the cavalryman’s willingness to wage relentless war in Virginia. Little has been settled immediately, but the picture of the future is becoming increasingly clear. As the smoke and mist lifts above the hellish scene at the Muleshoe, the next great movement towards the south is about to begin.
I’m not going to say that this book is likely to appeal to people who aren’t Civil War buffs; it probably won’t. But this is still an excellent history that may have fallen under the radar of some. I think if you enjoyed Stephen Sears Civil War books, Rhea’s series is definitely worth a look. I will certainly be seeking out his volumes on the Wilderness and Cold Harbor when I can find the time.
April 27, 2023
I think it's safe to say that the Battle for Spotsylvania Court House is not as well known as Gettysburg, Antietam, or Shiloh, yet it might be one of the most savage, costly engagements in the American Civil War. I've studied numerous Civil War battles and it wasn't until Gordon Rhea's multi-volume study of Grant's Overland Campaign did I come to the horror of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House.
The carnage at Spotsylvania Court House is unique, unprecedented in the ACW. By this time in 1864 it was clear to Lee that Grant was a different sort of commander of the Army of the Potomac (AOP), different than any they had yet faced: He was relentless, determined never to retreat but to engage Lee's army in a continuous battle, always moving toward Richmond, until the Army of Northern Virginia was wiped out. Grant knew that the North had the resources, the reserves, and the South did not. Every loss in Lee's army was a permanent diminution of their strength. By sheer attrition Lee would have to capitulate eventually.
Since further support would not be coming from Richmond, Lee's capacity to wage offensive war was greatly diminished, if not gone entirely. Defensive entrenchments were established, and we see one of the first examples of a form of trench warfare taking shape outside Spotsylvania Court House. Lee had won the race from the Wilderness to the Spotsylvania high ground, blocking Grant's advance to Richmond, and established a formidable breastwork. The AOP moved in and set up their line a few hundred yards to the north, leaving a deadly No-Man's Land of sniper fire between them.
A no-man's land, in places only a few hundred yards wide and crackling with musketry, separated the combatants. Artillery shells howled through the darkness, and sharpshooters searched for the glow of camp fires. Death came silently on the wings of a sniper's bullet, devoid of pageantry. Soldiers dug for their lives, pitching up earthworks against the incessant rain of lead. [91]
Grant would have little choice but to mount frontal assaults on Lee's entrenched Laurel Hill positions to attempt a breakthrough, with staggering losses.
“Dead are falling,” a participant observed, “and wounded go streaming to the rear in every direction.” Then Colonel Robinson's Iron Brigade crossed the field and started up the far brow only to be slammed by “terrific and continuous fire.” A soldier in the 2nd Wisconsin proclaimed it “sure death to stand up there and waste of powder to fire.” [147]
Grant's repeated assaults on Laurel Hill failed miserably. So he set his sights on the salient on the Confederate's right flank nicknamed 'the Mule Shoe.' The intense battle ultimately focused on “a short stretch of earthworks where the salient's western tip bent south.” Later to be known as 'the Bloody Angle' for the horrendous carnage that took place there:
The slaughter raged so intensely for so long and involved such close and sustained contact that several otherwise articulate chroniclers fumbled for words to convey its enormity. “Nothing can describe the confusion, the savage blood-curdling yells, the murderous faces, the awful curses, and the grisly horror of the melee,” a veteran remarked. “Of all the battles I took part in, Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania exceeded all the rest in stubbornness, ferocity, and in carnage.” Another referred to the fight as a “seething, bubbling, roaring hell of hate and murder.” [293]
The details of the engagement, the maneuvering, the mistakes, the drama, I leave for the reader to discover. Like his 'Battle of the Wilderness' volume, Gordon Rhea has given us a powerful study in history. A fantastic read.
The carnage at Spotsylvania Court House is unique, unprecedented in the ACW. By this time in 1864 it was clear to Lee that Grant was a different sort of commander of the Army of the Potomac (AOP), different than any they had yet faced: He was relentless, determined never to retreat but to engage Lee's army in a continuous battle, always moving toward Richmond, until the Army of Northern Virginia was wiped out. Grant knew that the North had the resources, the reserves, and the South did not. Every loss in Lee's army was a permanent diminution of their strength. By sheer attrition Lee would have to capitulate eventually.
Since further support would not be coming from Richmond, Lee's capacity to wage offensive war was greatly diminished, if not gone entirely. Defensive entrenchments were established, and we see one of the first examples of a form of trench warfare taking shape outside Spotsylvania Court House. Lee had won the race from the Wilderness to the Spotsylvania high ground, blocking Grant's advance to Richmond, and established a formidable breastwork. The AOP moved in and set up their line a few hundred yards to the north, leaving a deadly No-Man's Land of sniper fire between them.
A no-man's land, in places only a few hundred yards wide and crackling with musketry, separated the combatants. Artillery shells howled through the darkness, and sharpshooters searched for the glow of camp fires. Death came silently on the wings of a sniper's bullet, devoid of pageantry. Soldiers dug for their lives, pitching up earthworks against the incessant rain of lead. [91]
Grant would have little choice but to mount frontal assaults on Lee's entrenched Laurel Hill positions to attempt a breakthrough, with staggering losses.
“Dead are falling,” a participant observed, “and wounded go streaming to the rear in every direction.” Then Colonel Robinson's Iron Brigade crossed the field and started up the far brow only to be slammed by “terrific and continuous fire.” A soldier in the 2nd Wisconsin proclaimed it “sure death to stand up there and waste of powder to fire.” [147]
Grant's repeated assaults on Laurel Hill failed miserably. So he set his sights on the salient on the Confederate's right flank nicknamed 'the Mule Shoe.' The intense battle ultimately focused on “a short stretch of earthworks where the salient's western tip bent south.” Later to be known as 'the Bloody Angle' for the horrendous carnage that took place there:
The slaughter raged so intensely for so long and involved such close and sustained contact that several otherwise articulate chroniclers fumbled for words to convey its enormity. “Nothing can describe the confusion, the savage blood-curdling yells, the murderous faces, the awful curses, and the grisly horror of the melee,” a veteran remarked. “Of all the battles I took part in, Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania exceeded all the rest in stubbornness, ferocity, and in carnage.” Another referred to the fight as a “seething, bubbling, roaring hell of hate and murder.” [293]
The details of the engagement, the maneuvering, the mistakes, the drama, I leave for the reader to discover. Like his 'Battle of the Wilderness' volume, Gordon Rhea has given us a powerful study in history. A fantastic read.
October 29, 2021
Many people know about the Battle of Gettysburg, but fewer know about the Overland Campaign, with the bloody battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor. These were the first battles in which Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee faced each other. Both men were known as fighters, and the casualties (about 85,000 men in about a month and a half of fighting) reflected the ferocity of those battles.
This book covers the bloody six days of battle at Spotsylvania Court House, in which Lee displayed his mastery of defensive warfare, and Grant, although making many mistakes, displayed the offensive aggressiveness that he had been known for in his battles in the West. The book begins just after the two day Battle of the Wilderness, with Grant attempting to flank Lee and interpose himself between Lee and Richmond. The book covers the Union attacks and Confederate counterattacks on Lee’s left and right flanks, as well as Sheridan’s cavalry raid toward Richmond that resulted in the death of Confederate cavalry chief J.E.B. Stuart. The book ends with the savage fighting at Bloody Angle, where Union troops temporarily broke Lee’s lines, only to be stalemated by Confederate reinforcements.
The author fairly examines the strengths and weaknesses and successes and failures of Lee and Grant and their subordinates. The book has maps down to brigade level, although there could have been more of them. This book is considered the standard work on Spotsylvania Court House.
This book covers the bloody six days of battle at Spotsylvania Court House, in which Lee displayed his mastery of defensive warfare, and Grant, although making many mistakes, displayed the offensive aggressiveness that he had been known for in his battles in the West. The book begins just after the two day Battle of the Wilderness, with Grant attempting to flank Lee and interpose himself between Lee and Richmond. The book covers the Union attacks and Confederate counterattacks on Lee’s left and right flanks, as well as Sheridan’s cavalry raid toward Richmond that resulted in the death of Confederate cavalry chief J.E.B. Stuart. The book ends with the savage fighting at Bloody Angle, where Union troops temporarily broke Lee’s lines, only to be stalemated by Confederate reinforcements.
The author fairly examines the strengths and weaknesses and successes and failures of Lee and Grant and their subordinates. The book has maps down to brigade level, although there could have been more of them. This book is considered the standard work on Spotsylvania Court House.
September 20, 2024
The quality of writing from Gordon Rhea almost guarantees all five of this Grant v. Lee series will be five stars. His level of detail and realism is second to none. I appreciate that I could pick up any of these volumes and would immediately be reacquainted to the battlefield and relevant timeline. Gordon keeps you in the action and aware of the bloody consequences.
It’s impossible not to be frustrated with Grant here. His inability to take effective charge of a group of odd personalities that made up the Army of the Potomac’s office corps led to a grinding, faltering look in the Wilderness and subsequently Spotsylvania. Lee, on the other hand, with frequent fortune and an aura of strong personality around him, keeps fighting the war like he has men to spare. Lee clearly has the advantage in close striking offensive maneuvers, but his strength does not match the strength of his army…it never did. You need numbers for the sneaky moves he was pulling, and he didn’t have them at this point. Maneuvers for both armies in the early summer of 1864 were as desperate as the soldiers and officers making them. The fighting around the Bloody Angle is some of the worst I’ve ever heard of. Musketry, man.
We move on to the North Anna River.
It’s impossible not to be frustrated with Grant here. His inability to take effective charge of a group of odd personalities that made up the Army of the Potomac’s office corps led to a grinding, faltering look in the Wilderness and subsequently Spotsylvania. Lee, on the other hand, with frequent fortune and an aura of strong personality around him, keeps fighting the war like he has men to spare. Lee clearly has the advantage in close striking offensive maneuvers, but his strength does not match the strength of his army…it never did. You need numbers for the sneaky moves he was pulling, and he didn’t have them at this point. Maneuvers for both armies in the early summer of 1864 were as desperate as the soldiers and officers making them. The fighting around the Bloody Angle is some of the worst I’ve ever heard of. Musketry, man.
We move on to the North Anna River.
November 4, 2020
Gordon C. Rhea writes an excellent study on the Battles of Spotsylvania Court House in a very readable way. He begins on the first day of battle and from one end of the line to the other describes the geography and tactics of each side. He goes into detail in the weaknesses of Grant’s offensive and the sheer intuition and quick thinking of Lee’s subordinates in plugging the gap in the Salient. Overall this is a very good read. Once again Rhea does not show bias on either side but give the facts and narrative that tells the story of the soldiers and the valor of the rank and file. His descriptions of the fighting at the Bloody angle in my opinion are unsurpassed by any other other. If you see this book on your library bookshelf and are a avid student of the Civil War and the Overland Campaign this is a must read!!!
January 7, 2022
This was a tough read, because these battles were the messiest and goriest of the war. Whereas much of the carnage of the wilderness can be blamed on the corps commanders and not on Grant or Meade, these battles show Grant being overly ambitious again and again in asking too much coordination from the generals in the March to Spotsylvania Court House, and in the battles that followed, in willingly depriving the AOTP of Sheridan's reconnaissance and ordering extremely costly charges quite blindly. A couple of pieces of bad decision making by Lee helped prevent a rout. But on the other hand, in some ways, it emerges that Lee also benefited from a number of pieces of good fortune. Gordon Rhea, as always, tells the story engagingly, and weaves together with great expertise an enormous amount of primary and secondary source material
February 7, 2018
This is the second book in a series describing the 1864 campaign in Virginia after Grant took over as the chief general of the union forces. Just like the first, it tells the story clearly and with enough detail that the reader understands the how's and why's of this severely fought battle. While it has plenty of detail, the author is very careful not to get lost in the details so much that it is difficult to follow what is happening in the fighting. After the reading this book, I have a very clear idea of how the battle was initiated and how it developed. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book.
August 26, 2021
An in depth look at The Battle for Spotsylvania Court House and the hours and events that led up to it. Interesting insight into the minds of the men that lead and mislead the battle at times. I have a very different view of Burnside who looks imposing in photographs, but apparently he lacked fortitude in the field. I also found the demeanor of the generals towards each other on either side very interesting. Almost as if they themselves were beyond the bloodshed that surrounded them as the two played a polite game of Chess.
May 22, 2025
The second volume of Gordon C Rhea’s masterful series on the 1864 Overland Campaign maintains the high standard of research combined with the same readability that made the first volume so excellent.
January 24, 2018
I like the addition of the yellow Tavern battle to this account of the overland campaign.
July 25, 2018
6/12/2018
May 18, 2018
Great book by a modern Civil War scholar. Enjoyed the first two volumes in this history of the Overland Campaign, looking forward to the next three!
October 11, 2025
Very compelling narrative of this much-overlooked battle. The author gets into the action immediately, as we're spared the recap of the entire Civil War that many battle or campaign histories feel they can't do without.
The Wilderness/Spotsylvania campaign was fascinating for several reasons. It was the first major series of actions in the Eastern theater since the Gettysburg campaign of the previous year. And the first in which Grant was the overall commander; therefore also the initial match up of Lee and Grant.
Add in the peculiarities of the congested terrain in and around the Wilderness, the extensive use of fortifications by the Confederates, and the beginning of the slow downward spiral of Confederate fortunes, we're looking at a unique period of the Civil War.
Grant's skill and fame notwithstanding, he fumbled as much as Lee did two years before in the Seven Days battles; in fact the parallel is striking, as both of these legendary generals had anything but smooth sailing in their early days as commanders-in-chief, trying to get their subordinates working together to execute plans--that, while they may have been strategically sound, plans that were proven too complex and ambitious.
We get all the drama of the command infighting--played against the existential drama of the battlefields, it makes for a tragic blend of heroism and needless sacrifice. The fog of war seemed to engulf and inhibit the Union divisions' ability to take Laurel Hill and the Bloody Angle.
Although both sides could claim victory, as the Spotsylvania position proved impregnable, Grant's relentless attacks, which meant that, while losing men to Lee at a three to two ratio, Lee was eventually attritioned beyond his level of endurance.
The narrative somehow combines the intricate abstract detail of unit formation, commanders, time, and position with an extremely vivid series of witnesses'commentary by many soldiers and officers. Their unchecked waves of apprehension, bravery, stubbornness, fear, and even fun come across naturally and brilliantly.
Not being too familiar with the Spotsylvania battles, I was left wondering a bit just what exactly happened after Grant realized that he couldn't pry Lee out of his position. The author mentions Lee falling back to the North Anna River, but doesn't give us the particulars. Like the opening of the book, it ends quickly.
All in all, excellent Civil War history; undoubtedly a major reference work on Spotsylvania. Not to be missed for for its style and focus, highly recommended.
The Wilderness/Spotsylvania campaign was fascinating for several reasons. It was the first major series of actions in the Eastern theater since the Gettysburg campaign of the previous year. And the first in which Grant was the overall commander; therefore also the initial match up of Lee and Grant.
Add in the peculiarities of the congested terrain in and around the Wilderness, the extensive use of fortifications by the Confederates, and the beginning of the slow downward spiral of Confederate fortunes, we're looking at a unique period of the Civil War.
Grant's skill and fame notwithstanding, he fumbled as much as Lee did two years before in the Seven Days battles; in fact the parallel is striking, as both of these legendary generals had anything but smooth sailing in their early days as commanders-in-chief, trying to get their subordinates working together to execute plans--that, while they may have been strategically sound, plans that were proven too complex and ambitious.
We get all the drama of the command infighting--played against the existential drama of the battlefields, it makes for a tragic blend of heroism and needless sacrifice. The fog of war seemed to engulf and inhibit the Union divisions' ability to take Laurel Hill and the Bloody Angle.
Although both sides could claim victory, as the Spotsylvania position proved impregnable, Grant's relentless attacks, which meant that, while losing men to Lee at a three to two ratio, Lee was eventually attritioned beyond his level of endurance.
The narrative somehow combines the intricate abstract detail of unit formation, commanders, time, and position with an extremely vivid series of witnesses'commentary by many soldiers and officers. Their unchecked waves of apprehension, bravery, stubbornness, fear, and even fun come across naturally and brilliantly.
Not being too familiar with the Spotsylvania battles, I was left wondering a bit just what exactly happened after Grant realized that he couldn't pry Lee out of his position. The author mentions Lee falling back to the North Anna River, but doesn't give us the particulars. Like the opening of the book, it ends quickly.
All in all, excellent Civil War history; undoubtedly a major reference work on Spotsylvania. Not to be missed for for its style and focus, highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2015
This is the second book in the author's Overland Campaign series, picking up after the second day of major fighting in the Wilderness has ended and running through the end of the day of fighting over the Bloody Angle aka Mule Shoe. The book also covers the first part of Sheridan's first raid that climaxed at Yellow Tavern with Jeb Stuart's defeat and death.
Ending the book at the end of May 12th is an interesting decision; while it marks the climax of the fighting at Spotsylvania, lesser fighting would continue there for more than a week until the two armies (Grant/Meade and Lee) moved toward the North Anna River.
The style of the Wilderness book is pretty much continued here, except the footnotes have been replaced by endnotes. There are 327 pages of main text and good maps, plus an order of battle in addition to the citations.
A reoccurring theme I am noticing is serious problems in the Union army hierarchy: the muddled division of responsibility between Grant and Meade, Burnside's ineptness (and that of his chief subordinates), Warren's cautiousness (to both a strength and a fault), poor communication in the Army of the Potomac chain of command, and an inability of Grant/Meade to adequately control the Army of the Potomac - to be adequately aware of the situation and match intent to execution. On the Confederate side, Lee seems to struggle between his natural aggressiveness and his near desperation at stopping critical Union breakthroughs. There seems to be similarities in Hancock's attacks on May 6 and May 12: both smashing successes undone soon after by determined Confederate counterattacks. Lee also suffers a noticeable attrition in top officers which I think comes into play at North Anna.
I'll be continuing the series as it continues to live up to its reputation.
Ending the book at the end of May 12th is an interesting decision; while it marks the climax of the fighting at Spotsylvania, lesser fighting would continue there for more than a week until the two armies (Grant/Meade and Lee) moved toward the North Anna River.
The style of the Wilderness book is pretty much continued here, except the footnotes have been replaced by endnotes. There are 327 pages of main text and good maps, plus an order of battle in addition to the citations.
A reoccurring theme I am noticing is serious problems in the Union army hierarchy: the muddled division of responsibility between Grant and Meade, Burnside's ineptness (and that of his chief subordinates), Warren's cautiousness (to both a strength and a fault), poor communication in the Army of the Potomac chain of command, and an inability of Grant/Meade to adequately control the Army of the Potomac - to be adequately aware of the situation and match intent to execution. On the Confederate side, Lee seems to struggle between his natural aggressiveness and his near desperation at stopping critical Union breakthroughs. There seems to be similarities in Hancock's attacks on May 6 and May 12: both smashing successes undone soon after by determined Confederate counterattacks. Lee also suffers a noticeable attrition in top officers which I think comes into play at North Anna.
I'll be continuing the series as it continues to live up to its reputation.
August 12, 2012
The author's approach to the conflict is identical to that of his first in this series... focus is centered upon the military decisions and outcomes of the numerous attacks from the perspectives of both sides ... however with more detail regarding the Union Army since, it would appear, more documented evidence survives from the Union side. There are thorough discussions about the missed opportunities and tactical errors of the commanders but Rhea provides perspective that seems to soften the responsibilty imposed on some of the less successful and forceful generals in earlier critiques of their performance ... particulary those that were written immediately following the battle and the civil war. A balanced portrayal of these specific days in the civil war. Specific mention must be made of the way this author reveals the horror of the Bloody Angle and how the commanders on both sides kept feeding troops into it. Rhea highlights the carnage while providing the motivation of both sides for pursuing advantage at this point on the battlefield, making, what might look like insanity to us almost 150 years later, rational in the context that existed at that moment in history. A fluid, well-written book and a fast read for this type of history. Highly recommended.
February 3, 2023
Because of my personal connection to the Battle of Spotsylvania, visiting it and reading Gordon Rhea's first book about the Wilderness, I was very excited to read this book. Like his first book, Rhea's second book did not disappoint. This book was detailed but not overwhelming. The most engaging part of the book was the fighting at the Mule Shoe. That kept me on the edge of my seat as I read about the brutality of that part of the battle. Being at the battlefield made it easy for me to imagine what Rhea was describing. He did an excellent job researching this book and made it very presentable. As with his Wilderness book, I thought his criticism of the generals was insightful and fair. Robert E. Lee is portrayed in some cases of being infallible, but he made mistakes here that nearly cost him his army. I am a fan of Ulysses S. Grant, but I can say he made consequential mistakes as well. Their subordinates also face criticism. Visiting the battlefield and reading this book helped me understand some of my family history since two of them fought here and at the Wilderness. One of them was wounded here and his brother was wounded at Cold Harbor. Will read this book multiple times in my life.
February 11, 2011
Normally I read during commercials and timeouts.....this one was different. I missed a lot of plots and plays due to the fact that I could not put this one down. If you look at my shelves you will know i love to read about war,politics,and history. Some I have read have been tedious(civil war of 1812 for example) but not this one. It had my attention from beginning to end and didn't seem to pull any punches when it came to calling a spade a spade. Although, I am glad the union was preserved, my childhood heroes were Confederates. It was especially saddening to read how J.E.B. Stuart died and rather surprising to read how pettiness was so prevalent in the command ranks, especially the Union Army. Anyways, it was a fantastic read and I would reccomend it to anyone who does not consider themselves a civil war expert.
April 8, 2014
Gordon Rhea is my favorite Civil War author. His coverage of the Lee vs. Grant campaigns in Virginia are monumental. His prose is highly charged with motion, active verbs and imagery. This volume on the Battles for Spotsylvania Court House in May of 1864 is his best. I now believe that this titanic battle was the most savage and intense conflict in our American history and in modern warfare. The detail is personal and meticulous, while at the same time panoramic. The question in my mind is why a negotiated peace was not concluded to avoid such carnage and loss of life.
January 7, 2016
I doubt there is a better military history writer then gordon c rhea
This bloody,messy ,badly handled (by Grant and his generals) shambles of a battle wonderfully protrayed by mr rhea in another triumph of the miltary writers art.
This epic multi day fight has the dubious honour of being the first Trench warfare battle in modern history , futile charges murderous bayonet attacks all the things we think of as synonomous with trench warfare
I will look for his next volume in his 4 volume master work on the epic contest between grant and lee in 1864 , to the north anna
This bloody,messy ,badly handled (by Grant and his generals) shambles of a battle wonderfully protrayed by mr rhea in another triumph of the miltary writers art.
This epic multi day fight has the dubious honour of being the first Trench warfare battle in modern history , futile charges murderous bayonet attacks all the things we think of as synonomous with trench warfare
I will look for his next volume in his 4 volume master work on the epic contest between grant and lee in 1864 , to the north anna
April 2, 2013
This book, along with his book on the Wilderness, has now convinced me to read his 4 part series. The remaining two are the battles for North Anna River, and then Cold Harbor. Clearly, Rhea "owns" the "new modern re-interpretations" of the history, like those I'm seeking to read, of the months of May and June of 1864, in the Eastern theater. Just like Sears owns the campaigns of 1862-1863 in the Eastern theater, and Cozzens owns the campaigns of 1862-1863 in the Western theater.
March 12, 2015
Very glad I started Rhea's series of books on the Overland Campaign. Not only are they very insightful to battles that are often overlooked, but they are also well written. The Battle of Spotsylvania was always something I wanted to learn more about and this is the best book to start with. What I enjoy most is (along with Rhea's book on The Wilderness) is his portrayal of Lee. A smart and talented commander, but still very human prone to mistakes and benefited at times off of luck.
December 19, 2014
Well written book! The author is critical of the Confederate and Union leaders appropriately. He is also supportive of leaders who have been scorned previously such as General Warren and General Meade.
July 17, 2025
The 2nd in his series covering the Overland Campaign. I find Gordon Rhea's writing well researched and enjoyably readable. He puts flesh and bone to the awful statistics of this bloody engagement between Grant and Lee.
February 11, 2008
-Great Book on the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and Yellow Tavern.
-Best one I have read on Spotsylvania C.H.
-Best one I have read on Spotsylvania C.H.
Currently reading
July 1, 2008not rated as this is nonfiction historical overview of the strategy etc. pertaining to the battles at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Fredericskburg etc.
November 2, 2020
Very weak stuff. If it Takes All Summer by William Matter is a much better book about the Battle of Spotsylvania, and recommended in place of this.
Read
July 30, 2011Solid effort, like the first one in the series
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