Key Facts
- Dates
- August 14–20, 1864
- Duration
- 6 days
- Location
- Henrico County, Virginia
- Union commander
- Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock
- Part of
- Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (Siege of Petersburg)
Strategic Narrative Overview
On the night of August 13–14, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock's force crossed the James River. The X Corps advanced on New Market Heights while the II Corps extended along Bailey's Creek. The X Corps shifted to the right flank near Fussell's Mill and Charles City Road. On August 16, Union assaults near the mill gained initial ground but were repulsed by Confederate counterattacks. Indecisive skirmishing continued for several days without a decisive breakthrough.
01 / The Origins
During the summer of 1864, Union forces under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant besieged Petersburg, Virginia, seeking to cut Confederate supply lines and capture Richmond. To relieve pressure and stretch Confederate defenses, Union commanders planned a diversionary crossing of the James River at Deep Bottom, aiming to threaten Richmond directly and pull Confederate troops away from the Petersburg lines and the contested Shenandoah Valley.
03 / The Outcome
On the night of August 20, Union forces withdrew back across the James River to the south bank, ending the operation. The Confederates successfully repelled the threat to Richmond, but were compelled to divert significant forces from Petersburg to do so. This dilution of Confederate strength along the main siege lines was the strategic result the Union command had sought, partially achieving the operation's broader objective.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Winfield Scott Hancock.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.