Battle of North Anna

Significance

The Battle of North Anna, fought May 23–26, 1864, formed part of Grant's Overland Campaign as Union forces pressed south against Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Rather than producing a single decisive engagement, the fighting consisted of a series of small actions near the North Anna River, including Telegraph Road Bridge, Jericho Mills, Ox Ford, Quarles Mill, and Hanover Junction. Union casualties of nearly 4,000 against Confederate losses of roughly 1,500 reflected the attritional character of the Overland Campaign as a whole. The engagement did not result in a clear tactical decision for either side, consistent with the broader pattern of the campaign in which Grant continued to maneuver southward despite inconclusive results at successive river crossings and defensive lines.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)