Historians Robert M. Dunkerly, Donald C. Pfanz, and David R. Ruth allow readers to follow in the footsteps of the armies as they grapple across the Virginia landscape. Pfanz spent his career as a National Park Service historian on the battlefields where the campaign began; Dunkerly and Ruth work on the battlefields where it concluded. Few people know the ground, or the campaign, better.

Touring the battlefields -- Prelude to the campaign -- The Wilderness -- Spotsylvania Court House -- The North Anna River and Totopotomoy Creek -- Cold Harbor.