Key Facts
- Dates
- July 27–29, 1864
- Location
- Deep Bottom, Henrico County, Virginia
- Union commanders
- Maj. Gen. Hancock and Maj. Gen. Sheridan
- Strategic purpose
- Divert Confederate troops from Petersburg before Battle of the Crater
- Duration
- 3 days
Strategic Narrative Overview
On July 27, Union forces under Maj. Gens. Winfield S. Hancock and Philip H. Sheridan crossed to the north bank of the James River at Deep Bottom and advanced toward Richmond. The combined infantry and cavalry force pressed against Confederate fortifications at Bailey's Creek and Fussell's Mill over three days but could not breach the defensive lines and was repulsed at each attempt.
01 / The Origins
By mid-1864, the Union Army had settled into the Siege of Petersburg, seeking to cut Confederate supply lines to Richmond. Union commanders planned the Battle of the Crater as a bold attempt to breach the Petersburg defenses using an explosive mine. To improve odds of success, a diversionary expedition was organized to draw Confederate troops away from Petersburg by threatening Richmond and its vital railroads.
03 / The Outcome
The Union expedition was withdrawn by July 29 without achieving a military breakthrough. However, the operation succeeded in its primary strategic goal: Confederate commanders shifted troops away from Petersburg to counter the perceived threat to Richmond, temporarily thinning the Petersburg lines. This redeployment was intended to improve Union chances in the imminent Battle of the Crater, fought on July 30, 1864.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Winfield S. Hancock, Philip H. Sheridan.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.