The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys: June 9, 1864

Name: The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys

Other Names: The First Battle of Petersburg

Location: City of Petersburg

Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)

Date(s): June 9, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Quincy Gillmore [US]; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard

Forces Engaged: 7,000 (US 4,500; CS 2,500)

Estimated Casualties: 120 total

Description: On June 9, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler dispatched about 4,500 cavalry and infantry against the 2,500 Confederate defenders of Petersburg. While Butler’s infantry demonstrated against the outer line of entrenchments east of Petersburg, Kautz’s cavalry division attempted to enter the city from the south via the Jerusalem Plank Road but was repulsed by Home Guards.  Afterwards, Butler withdrew. This was called the “battle of old men and young boys” by local residents. On June 14-17, the Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and began moving towards Petersburg to support and renew Butler’s assaults.

Result(s): Confederate victory

Note: I will be writing full summaries of each battle in time.  For now, please see the sites listed below for more information.

• Crater Road
• Jim Epperson’s Petersburg Site

Bibliography:

• The Petersburg Campaign: The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys June 9, 1864 by William G. Robertson

First Person Accounts:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:

• An "Old Man" at the First Battle of Petersburg: Anthony M. Keiley
• Civil War Book Preview: Ed Bearss' The Petersburg Campaign, Vol. 1: The Eastern Front Battles, June - August 1864
• June 14, 1864 Lowell Daily Citizen And News: Army News
• June 14, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The End Of The Petersburg Raid
• June 15, 1864 New York Herald Tribune: From General Butler The Rebels Annoyed
• June 18, 1864 Washington National Intelligencer: Southern News Via Richmond
• Operations South of the James River: I. First Attempts to Capture Petersburg by August V. Kautz
• Operations South of the James River: II. Repelling the First Assault on Petersburg by R. E. Colston
• The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys: June 9, 1864
• The Petersburg Campaign: The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys June 9, 1864 by William G. Robertson

Source: CWSAC Battle Summary

Tagged as: battle of old men and young boys, first battle of petersburg, june 9 1864