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An indecisive, but hard-fought and sanguinary engagement during the Civil War (1864). Grant led the Union army of about 135,000 men, while Lee's Confederates numbered a little over 100,000. After the battle of the Wilderness, Grant wished to cut off Lee's communications with Richmond, and with this intention he hurried forward toward Spottsylvania Court House. Lee hastened in the same direction and, by obstructing the Federal route with felled trees and skirmishers, managed to arrive first, Warren's advance corps of Grant's army being detained on the road. On May 7, 1864, there was some slight skirmishing. May 8, Grant sent Sheridan's cavalry corps to ride around the Confederate army, tearing up bridges and railroads and demolishing trains. This corps engaged J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry, defeating them and killing their leader. The National line was formed with Hancock holding the right, Warren and Sedgwick the centre, and Burnside the left. On the 9th and 10th, assaults were made upon a salient or weak point in the Confederate defences by Hancock, and then by Upton, but the Confederates remained firm. It rained on the nth and there was no fighting. On the 12th a desperate charge by Hancock captured the coveted salient. The Confederate Edward Johnston and 4000 men were taken. This captured point the Confederates charged again and again, and there was frightful slaughter on both sides. From this "death angle," the Confederates retired at midnight.