As part of the 1864 Overland Campaign in Virginia during the Civil War, Union forces under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant faced off against a smaller but determined Confederate army led by General Robert E. Lee at Cold Harbor. Despite the strong entrenchments defended by Lee’s troops, Grant ordered repeated assaults against the Rebels from May 31 to June 3. None of the attacks were successful and resulted in heavy casualties among the Northern troops. Learn from Museum educator John Maass how Grant’s attacks were born of weeks of frustrating attempts to bring the Confederate army to battle and a determined Yankee strategy of destroying Lee’s command.

 

Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War” (2025).

 

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on 1/13/26 at 12pm

 

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on 1/13/26 at 12pm