The Battle of Boydton Plank Road: October 27-28, 1864

Name: The Battle of Boydton Plank Road

Other Names: Hatcher’s Run, Burgess’ Mill

Location: Dinwiddie County

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

Date: October 27-28, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Maj. Gen. Henry Heth [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps (35,000 total)

Estimated Casualties: 3,058 total (1,758 US; 1,300 CS)

Description: Directed by Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, divisions from three Union corps (II, V, and IX) and Gregg’s cavalry division, numbering more than 30,000 men, withdrew from the Petersburg lines and marched west to operate against the Boydton Plank Road and South Side Railroad. The initial Union advance on October 27 gained the Boydton Plank Road, a major campaign objective. But that afternoon, a counterattack near Burgess’ Mill spearheaded by Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s division and Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry isolated the II Corps and forced a retreat. The Confederates retained control of the Boydton Plank Road for the rest of the winter.

Result: Confederate victory¹

Full Summary: Coming soon

Bibliography:

First Person Accounts:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:

• 864jag: Union Forces Battle of Boydton Plank Road, Virginia 27-28 October 1864
• Map Showing Condition of Union Lines, October 27, 1864: Official Records
• Map Showing Operations of the Fifth Corps, October 27, 1864: Official Records
• MHSM Papers: The Expedition to the Boydton Plank Road, October, 1864 by Brevet Brigadier-General Francis A. Walker
• MHSM Papers: The Siege of Petersburg after the Capture of the Weldon Railroad by Brevet Brigadier-General Francis A. Walker
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road NPS Map: Aftermath
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road NPS Map: October 27, 1864
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road NPS Map: Prelude
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road Wikipedia Map: October 27, 1864
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road, October 27, 1864: Official Records
• The Battle of Boydton Plank Road: October 27-28, 1864
• The Battle of Burgess Mill: October 27, 1864 (First Day of Battle of Boydton Plank Road) by Bryce Suderow

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