From May 5-6, 1864, Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia fought Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Potomac to a standstill in the Battle of the Wilderness. Undeterred, Grant decided to move around Lee's right flank to the critical crossroads of Spotsylvania Court House. Lee countered and managed to get to Spotsylvania ahead of Grant. The ensuing battle lasted for 13 days and resulted in a combined 30,000 casualties. Once again, Grant decided to turn Lee's flank and march for the North Anna River.