[ ]
Date(s):
May 12-16,
1864
Campaign(s):
Bermuda Hundred Campaign [May-June 1864]
Battles in
Campaign:
Situation:
Commanders:
-
Union:
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler
-
Confederate:
Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
Principal Forces:
-
Union:
30,000
-
Confederate:
18,000
Description:
-
After his repulse at Swift Creek and Fort Clifton
on May 9, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler withdrew
into his entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred.
-
A Confederate army of 18,000 was patched together
under command of Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
to confront Butler’s 30,000.
-
On May 12, Butler
moved north against the Confederate line at Drewry’s Bluff but again adopted a
defensive posture when his attack was not supported by gunboats.
-
On the 13th a Union column struck the right flank
of the Confederate line at the Wooldridge House, carrying a line of works.
-
Butler
remained cautious, however, giving Beauregard
time to concentrate his forces.
-
On May 16 at dawn,
Ransom’s Confederate division opened an attack on
Butler’s right flank, routing many units.
-
Subsequent attacks lost direction in the fog, but
the Federals were disorganized and demoralized.
-
After severe fighting,
Butler extricated himself from battle, withdrawing again to his
Bermuda Hundred Line. This battle stopped Butler’s
offensive against Richmond.
Slide Presentation:
None
Classification1:
B
Casualties2:
6,660 total
Results:
 Confederate
Victory
Battlefield Websites:
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 |
