May the Lord bless His people with peace! – Psalm 29:11
The Battle of the Wilderness began on this day in 1864. Ordered by General Ulysses S. Grant, this significant attack took place at the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, and was a major battle that would ultimately lead to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Once the Union army crossed the Rapidan River on May 4, Lee was resolute that his Confederate army in northern Virginia would attack Union soldiers in the dense forests of Virginia, often referred to as the “Wilderness,” because of their familiarity with the terrain. Though proving a difficult environment for the Union’s army of 115,000 to navigate, Grant refused to retreat even with the two days of bloody combat and heavy casualties. Grant ordered his infantry to continue southward, which would end up becoming an prolonged and steep yet successful battle.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the chairman and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to seek God’s discernment in advising the president and defense secretary.
- For protection for the men and women serving in the U.S. military internationally and at home.
