Name: The Battle of Peebles’ Farm
Other Names: Poplar Springs Church, Wyatt’s Farm, Chappell’s House, Pegram’s Farm, Vaughan Road, Harmon Road
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date: September 30-October 2, 1864
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, Maj. Gen. John G. Parke, and Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill and Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 3,800 total
Description: In combination with Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s offensive north of the James River, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant extended his left flank to cut Confederate lines of communication southwest of Petersburg. Two divisions of the IX corps under Maj. Gen. John G. Parke, two divisions of the V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren, and Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg’s cavalry division were assigned to the operation. On September 30, the Federals marched via Poplar Spring Church to reach Squirrel Level and Vaughan Roads. The initial Federal attack overran Fort Archer, flanking the Confederates out of their Squirrel Level Road line. Late afternoon, Confederate reinforcements arrived, slowing the Federal advance. On October 1, the Federals repulsed a Confederate counterattack directed by Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill. Reinforced by Maj. Gen. Gershom Mott’s division, the Federals resumed their advance on the 2nd, captured Fort MacRae which was lightly defended, and extended their left flank to the vicinity of Peebles’ and Pegram’s Farms. With these limited successes, Meade suspended the offensive. A new line was entrenched from the Federal works on Weldon Railroad to Pegram’s Farm.
Result: Union victory1
Full Summary: Coming Soon
Bibliography:
First Person Accounts:
Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:
- 864ibb: Union Forces Battle of Poplar Spring Church 30 September 1864
- MHSM Papers: The Siege of Petersburg after the Capture of the Weldon Railroad by Brevet Brigadier-General Francis A. Walker
- MOLLUS ME: With the Seventh Maine Battery by Brevet Major William B. Lapham
- by David M. Jordan">Review In Brief: "Happiness Is Not My Companion": The Life of G. K. Warren by David M. Jordan
- Review: The 13th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry C.S.A. by Mike Wadsworth
- Richmond Redeemed: The Siege at Petersburg by Richard J. Sommers
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: Aftermath
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: October 1, 1864
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: Prelude
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: September 30, 1864 1 PM
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: September 30, 1864 5 PM
- The Battle of Peebles Farm NPS Map: September 30, 1864 Pegram’s Farm
- The Battle of Peebles’ Farm: September 30-October 2, 1864
Source: