Deep Bottom, VA II

Date(s): August 13-20, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Richmond-Petersburg Campaign [June 1864-March 1865]

Battles in Campaign:

• Petersburg, VA I - June 9, 1864 D¹

• Petersburg, VA II - June 15-18, 1864 A

• Jerusalem Plank Road, VA - June 21-24, 1864 B¹

• Staunton River Bridge, VA - June 25, 1864 C¹

• Sappony Church, VA - June 28, 1864 D¹

• Ream's Station, VA I - June 29, 1864 C¹

• Deep Bottom, VA I - July 27-29, 1864 C¹

• Crater, VA - July 30, 1864 A

• Deep Bottom, VA II - August 13-20, 1864 B

• Globe Tavern, VA - August 18-21, 1864 B

• Ream's Station, VA II - August 25, 1864 B

• Chaffin's Farm/New Market Heights, VA - September 29-30, 1864 B

• Peebles' Farm, VA - September 30-October 2, 1864 B

• Darbytown and New Market Roads, VA - October 7, 1864 C¹ 

• Darbytown Road, VA - October 13, 1864 D¹  

• Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road, VA - October 27-28, 1864 C¹  

• Boydton Plank Road, VA - October 27-28, 1864 B

Situation:

• Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant wanted to cut the supply route through the rail head in Petersburg, Virginia, 27 miles south of the capital city, Richmond.

• In an attempt to draw General Robert E. Lee's troops from Petersburg, Grant staged a feint at Richmond—the second Battle of Deep Bottom—using the X Corps, II Corps, and Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg's cavalry

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock

• Confederate: Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. Charles Field

Principal Forces:

• Union: 15,000

• Confederate: 8,000

Description:

• During the night of August 13-14th, units under command of  Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock crossed James River at Deep Bottom to threaten Richmond in conjunction with a movement against the Weldon Railroad at Petersburg.

• On August 14th, the X Corps closed on New Market Heights while the II Corps extended the Federal line to the right along Bailey’s Creek.

• During the night, the X Corps was moved to the far right flank of the Union line near Fussell’s Mill.

• Union assaults near Fussell’s Mill on August 16th were initially successful, but Confederate counterattacks drove the Federals out of a line of captured works.

• Heavy fighting continued throughout the remainder of the day. 

• Skirmishing continued until August 20th when the Federals returned to the south side of the James but maintained their bridgehead at Deep Bottom.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 2,900

• Confederate: 1,300

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites:

• Second Battle of Deep Bottom - Wikipedia

• Second Deep Bottom, Globe Tavern, and Reams Station -  The Siege of Petersburg

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009