What if Grant Gave Lee the Slip May 4th 1864

[SpartanGSG]

Completely transiting the Wilderness unopposed. Does Anderson get to Spotsylvania in time to engage Warrren, does Spotsylvania even happen?
Where would the likely point of contact have taken place to "officially" open the Overland Campaign? North Anna?, Richmond?
Respectfully,
Spartan

[Ter61]

If Grant had made it through the Wilderness unopposed, depending on how much progress he would have made after that, it is possible the first battle would have been fought somewhere around the North Anna River. Lee had to keep his army between Grant and Richmond. Lee could not fight Grant in the open, he was too heavily outnumbered and outgunned. He had to try to choose the best ground for defensive fighting.

[Ter61]

Talking about a battle being fought on the North Anna River, Lee became severely ill at the time Grant reached the North Anna River and missed an opportunity to strike Grant's divided army.

[SpartanGSG]

Originally Posted by Ter61

If Grant had made it through the Wilderness unopposed, depending on how much progress he would have made after that, it is possible the first battle would have been fought somewhere around the North Anna River. Lee had to keep his army between Grant and Richmond. Lee could not fight Grant in the open, he was too heavily outnumbered and outgunned. He had to try to choose the best ground for defensive fighting.

Thanks for your response. Knowing the approaches to Richmond as well as he did, my guess is that Lee understood that if he couldnt tangle up Grant in the Wilderness that the region around the North Anna offered the best natural defensive terrain characteristics. This, added to the by now legendary abilities of the ANV in throwing up formidable works. I dont see it in Lee's nature to have given any further ground south of the two Annas by choice
Respectfully,
Spartan