Why was the battle of the wilderness significant to war?

The battle of the Wilderness was significant to the war because it was the first time that General Ulysses S. Grant, and General Robert E. Lee fought against each other.

IMPROVEMENT.

For the first time from the outbreak of Civil War, the Army of Potomac, after having sustained a setback or, better said in this case, a stalemate, didn't retreat but advanced towards Richmond, forcing Lee's Army to follow in order to prevent of being separated from its Capital City.

By so doing, Grant started a new phase of his strategy based upon the "Strategic Intimidation", by which eventually managed to deprive Lee of his "freedom of movements" and indissolubly pinned him down to the Richmond defence.

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