Battle Spotsylvania facts
While investigating facts about Battle Spotsylvania Courthouse and Battle Spotsylvania Order Of Battle, I found out little known, but curios details like:
During the battle of Spotsylvania general Sedgwick,after he saw his men ducking for cover exclaimed "Why are you dodging like this? They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." These were his last words as he was shot and killed right after he finished the sentence
how many casualties in the battle of spotsylvania?
Union General John Sedgwick, shortly after yelling “They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance” at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, was shot under the left eye and fell down dead.
What was the battle of spotsylvania?
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering what was the significance of the battle of spotsylvania. Here are 23 of the best facts about Confederate Order Of Battle Spotsylvania and Union Order Of Battle Spotsylvania I managed to collect.
what happened at the battle of spotsylvania and the battle of cold harbor?
-
It took place in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
-
Five generals were killed in the battle, three from the Union and two from the Confederacy
-
After having no success in Spotsylvania, Grant decided to give up on that location and the battle came to an end.
-
The battle occurred in Spotsylvania and Orange Counties in Virginia.
-
After the battle, Grant continued his offensive and moved on toward Richmond, Virginia.
-
On May 7, Grant's men disengaged from the fighting and moved southeast. The next battle would occur at Spotsylvania Court House the next day.
-
After the Battle of the Wilderness, Grant's troops tried to lure Lee's troops to Spotsylvania Court House, which he believed was a better location to the southeast.
-
The Union troops outnumbered the Confederate troops 100,000 to 50,000.
-
The battle went back and forth for over two weeks, with Grant's men unable to break through the Confederate line.
-
Even though the Union did not win, the high number of casualties took a tremendous toll on the Confederate army. Lee lost 23 percent of his troops.
Why did the battle of spotsylvania happen?
You can easily fact check why was the battle of spotsylvania fought by examining the linked well-known sources.
The battle occurred from May 8 to May 21, 1864.
Fighting at Bloody Angle on May 12 and May 13 continued for 20 hours in a row, likely the longest sustained period of fighting in the war.
There were a combined 32,000 casualties on both sides.
On 9 May 1864 Gen. J Sedgwick saw his corps ducking for cover from riflers 1000yards away, in the Battle of Spotsylvania. Sedgwick wandered out and stated "Why do you dodge like this? They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!" Moments later he was shot below the left eye and fell down dead
It occurred in Fredericksburg, Tennessee and surrounding areas of Spotsylvania County.
When was the battle of spotsylvania?
Some of Lee's men beat Grant's men to Spotsylvania Court House.
How did the battle of spotsylvania affect the civil war?
This battle took place after the Battle of the Wilderness, which was also inconclusive.
At the "Bloody Angle" during the Battle of Spotsylvania a 22 inch oak tree was severed completely by rifle fire
John Sedgwick, a military officer and Union Army general, was killed by a sharpshooter at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House after allegedly saying "I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."
At both the Battles of the Wilderness & Spotsylvania Courthouse, General Robert E. Lee had to be restrained by his soldiers from trying to personally lead charges against the Union lines. His men shouted "General Lee to the rear!" and refused to advance unless he was led away from the fighting
