On the first of May, 1864, the Army of the Potomac began crossing the Rapidan, headed straight for Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Grant had to be aware that he was moving in the same direction that “Fighting Joe” Hooker had, one year ago almost to the day, but he let no nerves show.

Grant knew that the Wilderness, which enveloped most of the old Chancellorsville battlefield, was a splendid place for Lee to fight a defensive battle, but he had long since decided to confront Lee at his strongest points. Unlike a chessmaster, who seeks to unmask his opponent’s weakness, Grant went straight to his enemy’s strength and attempted to break it.