General Ulysses S. Grant posing at Headquarters in Cold Harbor Virginia

On June 3, 1864, General Ulysses S. Grant launched a frontal assault on Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army at Cold Harbor, Virginia. The Union forces suffered heavy losses, with over 7,000 soldiers killed or wounded in just 20 minutes. General Grant later admitted that the attack was a mistake and that he regretted it deeply. Despite the setback, General Grant continued his campaign against General Lee's army, and the two sides engaged in a series of battles throughout the summer of 1864. The war would ultimately end in April 1865 with General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. The image of General Grant posing next to a tree at his headquarters in Cold Harbor became famous as a symbol of his determination and resolve in the face of adversity. It showed him as a strong and stoic leader, willing to fight on despite the heavy losses suffered by his troops. Today, the image remains an iconic representation of General Grant's leadership during the Civil War. Digital Download