Beneath to United States. The civil war did not permanently shatter you are nag nation. Yet it was a supreme test for a country that now stands in blessed unit, you are north and south. You are here together tonight here is evening we look back with learn from the greatest teacher anyone can have, history. Armed with an understanding of the time. Private maddux would like that. Thank you. [ applause ] the Overland Campaign was the largest and the bloodiest campaign of the entire civil war. Both armies lost half of their original fighting forces. The casualties were astounding. Astounding to soldiers, to generals, and to those left back home. Amid the staggering losses sustained at cold harbor and during the Overland Campaign, for every soldier killed, wounded or captures there was a family. Mother, brother, brother, sister, that also felt the loss on the fields of 1864 reverberated through communities across the north and south. The empty chairs at kitchen tables across the country and
Can take petersburg, cut the supply line to the army in Northern Virginia, and finally defeat lee. The union plan works like clock work. Sheridan heads off on his raid. It will end disastrously at the battle of torrian station, but it serves its purpose for the time. And on the morning of the 13th of june, lee and his men look across and discover that the union earth works are empty. Grant once again has managed to pull his army away without lee figuring out what had happened. The union army swings south, down to the james river. Grant intends to cross. But lee does not understand what grant means to do. Lee thinks that what grant might be preparing to do is to swing back toward Richmond North of the james river. So lee stays here at cold harbor, sends some of his soldiers to the south, but doesnt do a major shift, because, again, hes uncertain as to what grant will do. Well, as you civil war historians know, by june 15th, union forces are attacking at petersburg. Lee is now alerted to
Land. Our success in this Campaign Must ensure the integrity of the United States by the final overthrow of the rebellion. Success will give a new life to our country, and a new faith to the stability of free government to the world. It will also determine the next presidency as certainly as if the votes were counted. But if we fail in this campaign, that failure will be the greatest disaster in modern history. Upon general grant there now concentrates the deepest interest with which the world ever watched the actions of a single soldier. He is the foremost man in the greatest contest of the age. When the nation and the world wanted to know how the civil war was going, they looked to virginia. That spring, robert e. Lee and his army shone clearly as the confederacys greatest hope. Ulysses s. Grant had come east to manage the armies in virginia, but ulysses s. Grant had never met robert e. Lee in battle. At Charlottesville A charlottesville newspaper editor wrote in april, the conflict
We were live earlier today from memorial inr norfolk, virginia. Next youll hear about the wartime role of the u. S. Navy, as well as archaeological work on the trenches of the western front area our symposium concludes with a panel on the war felt like his. The wars legacy. Good morning. How is everyone this fine morning area this fine morning . Welcome to the city of norfolk for those of you who have not been here before. It has been my honor and privilege to be the director here at the macarthur memorial right in the heart of downtown norfolk virginia. We were dedicated back in 1964. Our mission is to interpret the life and times of general Douglas Macarthur and in his words, look toward the future but do not neglect the past. That spirit we are gathered here today. For much of the world, the key events of general macarthurs life this is part of a coordinated strategy lasting from this year, 2014, all the way into 2019 area and stay tuned. Like this be more coming. We have two floors
[inaudible] youre watching American History tv. Like in the conversation us on facebook. In American Hats history tv, today were bringing you live coverage of world war one. Good morning everybody. To the macarthur memorial. For the last 14 months it has be the honor to director here at macarthur memorial. In a ld like to stand special welcome to our audience that is watching around the world in American History tv. In a mission 1964 use general macarthurs words to look for the future based on the past. That is why we are gathered here today. In many ways helped shape his future. Todays event will mark the of the first ial world war. Building next ial to us, the general is buried next to his wife. You can explore the museum while you are here. And this time i want to thank to put this helped symposium, without them we would not be here today. The city of norfolk, southern bank, hampton rd. , museum. You to all partners. [applause] before we get going. First of all, please silence your