Why did Lee attack Grant in the Wilderness?

Lee attacked Grant in the Wilderness in May 1864 to exploit the terrain's dense underbrush, which would limit the effectiveness of Grant's larger forces and disrupt their coordination. Lee aimed to inflict significant casualties on Union troops and halt their momentum, hoping to leverage his own familiarity with the land. Additionally, he sought to capitalize on the morale boost from previous Confederate victories, believing that aggressive action could deter Grant's campaign in Virginia. Ultimately, the Wilderness campaign became a brutal and costly engagement for both sides.