May 7–8, 1864
Anderson wins the crossroads race
Anderson’s First Corps marches through the night and reaches Laurel Hill before Warren’s V Corps can secure the road to Spotsylvania Court House. Warren attacks directly from the Brock Road and is repulsed as Confederate infantry forms on the ridge.
WHAT TO NOTICEMinutes at Laurel Hill decide where the next battle begins: Lee blocks the direct route and both armies start digging.