Grant's Overland Campaign against the Army of Northern Virginia continues

General U.S. Grant's sustained offensive, designed to draw the Army of Northern Virginia to battle in defense of Richmond, continued over six weeks.  A series of battles were fought in this period, including the Wilderness and Cold Harbor.  Casualties were very heavy but Grant wore down Lee and achieved the strategic success of crossing the James River and besieging Petersburg, vital to the eventual fall of Richmond.  (By John Osborne)