The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road: June 21-24, 1864

Name: The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road

Other Names: First Battle of Weldon Railroad

Location: Dinwiddie County and Petersburg

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

Date(s): June 21-24, 1864

Principal Commanders:Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps

Estimated Casualties: 4,000 total

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.

Result(s): Union gained ground

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 Site
• Ed Bearss Unpublished Manuscript

Bibliography:

First Person Accounts:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:

• 8th New York Heavy Artillery
• Battles of the Crater and of June 22nd
• Civil War Book Preview: Ed Bearss' The Petersburg Campaign, Vol. 1: The Eastern Front Battles, June - August 1864
• General Mahone's 1892 Statement on the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, June 22, 1864
• Grant's and Meade's Learning Curves: A Look at the First Four Siege of Petersburg Offensives
• July 12, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: Head Quarters 8th N.Y. Vol.
• July 9, 1864 Macon Daily Telegraph: For the Daily Telegraph (June 27, 1864)
• June 23, 1864 T. Jasper Dean (Letter)
• June 24, 1864 James J. Sherman (Letter)
• Review: A Melancholy Affair at the Weldon Railroad: The Vermont Brigade, June 23, 1864
• Studying the June 22 Fight Near Jerusalem Plank Road: Maps
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road John E. Horn Map: June 22, 1864
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road NPS Map: Aftermath
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road NPS Map: June 22, 1864
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road NPS Map: Prelude
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road Wikipedia Map: June 21-22, 1864
• The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road: June 21-24, 1864
• Two New Maps on the Crater and Jerusalem Plank Road by Petersburg Campaign Author John E. Horn

Sources:

1. CWSAC Battle Summary
2. Petersburg National Battlefield
   

Tagged as: battle of jerusalem plank road, june 21 1864, june 22 1864, june 23 1864, june 24 1864