grant would of course would implement his plan in early may, sending his protegee, william t sherman on a campaign in georgia to concentrate on his opponent, joseph johnston and the railroad -- atlanta. in virginia, meade would focus laser like on the army of robert e. lee. to subordinate offenses with -- towards the south side of -- failed in me. france segel being defeated in the valley in newmarket, and benjamin butler being halted at bermuda hundred, south of richmond. the army of the tournament, across the river at the same time, a series of costly ingredients at the wilderness. at the north end of the river, and coal harbor. losing some 60,000 men in the process. inflicting sufficient number of casualties on leads army, to eliminated at as an offensive weapon. it was primarily now only potent on the defense. a new threat in the valley posed by david hunter compelled general [inaudible] to release about [inaudible] under double early, to deal with that threat as well. but with butler's access to richmond blocked by confederate forces, under pierre goo staff -- beauregard, and le