Jerusalem Plank Road, VA

Date(s): June 21-24, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

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

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 B

• 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:

• Early stages of the siege of Petersburg.

Commanders:

• Union:  Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade

• Confederate: Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill

Principal Forces: Corps

• Union:

• Confederate:

Description:

• On June 21, the Union II Corps, supported by the VI Corps, attempted to cut the Weldon Railroad, one of the major supply lines into Petersburg.

• The movement was preceded by Wilson’s cavalry division which began destroying tracks.

• On June 22, troops from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s corps led by Brig. Gen. William Mahone counterattacked, forcing the II Corps away from the railroad to positions on the Jerusalem Plank Road.

• Although the Federals were driven from their advanced positions, they were able to extend their siege lines farther to the west.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 3,000

• Confederate: 572

Results: Inconclusive

Battlefield Website: 

• Jerusalem Plank Road - National Park Service

Lodging and Restaurants: Virginia Tourism

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 02/22/2012