Grant's May 18th Attack
Following the fight for the "Bloody Angle," Lee constructed this new line of works across the base of the Muleshoe. Unwilling to attack the Confederates in their new position, Grant shifted east toward the Fredericksburg Road (modern Route 208). When Lee withdrew troops from Laurel Hill to counter this move, Grant sent Hancock's and Wright's corps back to the Muleshoe in hopes of catching the Confederates out of their trenches.
The ploy failed. Ewell's corps had not yet abandoned this portion of the line, and when Grant attacked on May 18 the Confederates greeted the Federals with 29 cannon. Trapped in the tangled abatis that fronted the Southern lines, the Federals became fodder for Ewell's guns. More than 1,200 Union soldiers fell in the short, ill-advised assault. Undaunted, Grant called off the attack and gain shifted east toward the Fredericksburg Road.
No attempt more completely failed ....
James L. Bowen
17th Massachusetts Infantry
Marker is on Anderson Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
