American Battlefield Trust
First Deep Bottom Battlefield
CWPT has saved more than 125 acres of the First Deep Bottom battlefield in Henrico County, Virginia.
The First Deep Bottom Campaign at the end of July 1864 was a Union offensive north of the James River to complement the explosion of the Crater at Petersburg. Two corps of the Union army led by Winfield S. Hancock, in company with much of the army's cavalry, crossed the river and attacked the Confederate defenses south of Richmond on July 27, 1864. That inconclusive fighting occurred along the River Road (modern Rte 5).
The next day, July 28, Hancock sent his cavalry eastward via the Long Bridge Road in an effort to extend around the Confederate flank. An aggressive small Confederate battlegroup consisting of infantry from both the First Corps and the Third Corps led by General Richard H. Anderson dashed eastward to block that movement. Anderson's three brigades attacked southward into and across the Enroughty Farm (the modern Butler property), striking dismounted cavalry from both Torbert's and Gregg's divisions. For a short period there was very heavy action. The Confederates captured one piece of Union horse artillery, probably either on the Butler property, or possibly just off it to the east. Eventually the Union cavalry became organized enough to counterattack effectively, driving the Confederates off the field in some disarray. They captured several Confederate flags in the encounter.
This action represented the heaviest fighting during the First Deep Bottom Campaign. Hancock suspended his offensive and retired south of the James. Total casualties in the July 28 fight at the Enroughty Farm surpassed 800 (350 Federals and approximately 500 Confederates).
First Deep Bottom Battlefield
CWPT has saved more than 125 acres of the First Deep Bottom battlefield in Henrico County, Virginia.
The First Deep Bottom Campaign at the end of July 1864 was a Union offensive north of the James River to complement the explosion of the Crater at Petersburg. Two corps of the Union army led by Winfield S. Hancock, in company with much of the army's cavalry, crossed the river and attacked the Confederate defenses south of Richmond on July 27, 1864. That inconclusive fighting occurred along the River Road (modern Rte 5).
The next day, July 28, Hancock sent his cavalry eastward via the Long Bridge Road in an effort to extend around the Confederate flank. An aggressive small Confederate battlegroup consisting of infantry from both the First Corps and the Third Corps led by General Richard H. Anderson dashed eastward to block that movement. Anderson's three brigades attacked southward into and across the Enroughty Farm (the modern Butler property), striking dismounted cavalry from both Torbert's and Gregg's divisions. For a short period there was very heavy action. The Confederates captured one piece of Union horse artillery, probably either on the Butler property, or possibly just off it to the east. Eventually the Union cavalry became organized enough to counterattack effectively, driving the Confederates off the field in some disarray. They captured several Confederate flags in the encounter.
This action represented the heaviest fighting during the First Deep Bottom Campaign. Hancock suspended his offensive and retired south of the James. Total casualties in the July 28 fight at the Enroughty Farm surpassed 800 (350 Federals and approximately 500 Confederates).