Grant's army set out on the
Overland Campaign intending to draw Lee into a defense of Richmond, where they would attempt to pin down and destroy the Confederate army. The Union army first attempted to maneuver past Lee and fought several battles, notably at the
Wilderness,
Spotsylvania, and
Cold Harbor. These resulted in heavy losses on both sides and forced Lee's Confederates to fall back repeatedly. At the
Battle of Yellow Tavern, the Confederates lost Jeb Stuart.