The second volume in Gordon C. Rhea's peerless five-book series on the Civil War's 1864 Overland Campaign abounds with Rhea's signature detail, innovative analysis, and riveting prose. Here Rhea examines the maneuvers and battles from May 7, 1864, when Grant left the Wilderness, through May 12, when his attempt to break Lee's line by frontal assault reached a chilling climax at what is now called the Bloody Angle. Drawing exhaustively upon previously untapped materials, Rhea challenges conventional wisdom about this violent clash of titans to construct the ultimate account of Grant and Lee at Spotsylvania.

May 7, 1864: Grant and Lee skirmish in the Wilderness and at Todd's Tavern -- May 8: The armies meet at Laurel Hill -- May 9: Grant and Lee shift for position, and Sheridan starts South -- May 10: Grant feels for openings at the Po and Laurel Hill -- May 10: Grant attacks across Lee's line -- May 11: A cavalryman dies, and Grant prepares to attack again -- May 12: Grant captures the Salient -- May 12: The armies reach stalemate at the Bloody Angle -- Appendix: The order of battle.