Battle of the Wilderness: The Crossroads

NPS Ranger and Chief Historian John Hennessy describes the importance of the Germanna Plank Road and Orange Turnpike crossroads to the Battle of the Wilderness and the Civil War.

[@57clc]

Grant understood one thing which Meade, George McClellan, and the other previous Union Generals didn't. That was that every battle with the Army of Northern Virginia, be it win, lose, or draw, was depleting Lee of one precious resource, soldiers. Soldiers in which Lincoln and the Northern states could replace and Richmond and the South had none to send. At this point Lee could do nothing but hold out as long as he could. I believe this played a small role in Lee's decisions at Gettysburg. Lee thought the longer this war lasts, it favored the Union greatly. He had the Army of the Patomic in front of him, rations and armaments weren't in great supply, he'd never be as strong as he was at that moment. I believe that's why he rolled the dice so to speak. Now one can question his plan of attack, (or not) but I believe Lee felt at that moment, that was his best shot at ending the war. Just a thought.

[@wes326]

Lee went north in an effort to encourage/scare the Union to engage in peace talks. It was really more of a failed war for southern independence than a "civil war". I had a great uncle killed at the Wilderness. A Capt in the 26th Mississippi. He also fought in the Mexican War.

[@johnzajac9849]

We read John Hennessy's book, 'Return to Bull Run' and highly recommend it.

[@slantsix6344]

I have learned to stay away from History Channel and Hollywood videos on the Civil War. If it has a Park Ranger, I am on it or a reenactor. These are the best way to really learn what happened.

[@lawrencemyers3623]

Wow.
I didn't know that the original road still exists. Would love to see it.

[@needmorecowbell6460]

5 of my distant cousins fought there … a father and four sons in the 53rd Penn.Vol. Co.I

[@jonathanowen9917]

***** The tune is called "Marching Through Georgia" and was composed by Henry C. Work in 1865.

[@francishartley]

My 2nd GG Abraham Giles, 57 Pennsylvania died there on may 4th 1864.

[@RebelRenegade76]

“In the great Fight of the Wilderness, where many brave men fell...”

[@MashBranchOutdoors]

My 3rd great grandfather Joseph E Ferguson was kia on May 6 or 7 here. 17th Ga Co.K

[@michaelmccabe5644]

My relative James H Nolan was killed in action there on May 5, 1864.

[@K31swiss]

My GG Grandad was wounded there.

[@rjjstephan]

Name?

[@johanronnung1665]

South to Richmond! What a spirit in the Union army!

[@michaelbarnett2527]

The wilderness wasnt a draw. It was a Confederate victory, although a hollow one because this time the yanks didnt run back north.