Name: First Battle of Deep Bottom
Other Names: Darbytown, Strawberry Plains, New Market Road, Gravel Hill
Location: Henrico County
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date: July 27-29, 1864
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Maj. Gen. Charles Field [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 1,000 total
Description: During the night of July 26-27, the Union II Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock crossed to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. This demonstration diverted Confederate forces from the impending attack at Petersburg on July 30. Union efforts to turn the Confederate position at New Market Heights and Fussell’s Mill were abandoned when the Confederates strongly reinforced their lines and counterattacked. During the night of July 29, the Federals recrossed the river leaving a garrison as heretofore to hold the bridgehead at Deep Bottom.
Result: Confederate victory1
Full Summary: Coming Soon
Bibliography:
First Person Accounts:
Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:
- 24th VA Cavalry: Account of July 27, 1864 Union Cavalry Demonstration Against Deep Bottom
- August 1, 1864 New York Tribune: The Operations of Wednesday
- August 16, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: “More on The First Deep Bottom Operation”
- August 16, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: “The First Deep Bottom Operation”
- August 27, 1864 Quincy Patriot: 24th Massachusetts Itinerary
- August 4, 1864 Baltimore Clipper: Sheridan's Cavalry
- Deep Bottom: July 26, 1864 (36th WI Regt Hist)
- George S. Gove Letter: August 2, 1864
- July 30, 1864 New York Daily Tribune: Bermuda Hundred
- July 30, 1864 New York Herald: Mr. A. Davidson's Dispatches
- July 30, 1864 New York Herald: Mr. Finley Anderson’s Dispatch
- July 30, 1864 New York Herald: Mr. S. Cadwallader’s Dispatch
- July 30, 1864 New York Tribune: Butler's Headquarters
- July 30, 1864 New York World: Special Dispatch to the World
- July 30, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: A Battle on the James
- July 31, 1864 New York Times: In Bivouac
- October 18, 1883 National Tribune: Who Will Write Up the Deep Bottom Fights
- Review: A History of the 3rd South Carolina Regiment: Lee’s Reliables
- Review: Into the Crater: The Mine Attack at Petersburg
- Review: The 13th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry C.S.A. by Mike Wadsworth
- Sketch of Defensive Works at Deep Bottom, Va. (OR Atlas 65:6)
- The First Battle of Deep Bottom CWPT Map
- The First Battle of Deep Bottom Wikipedia Map: July 27-29, 1864
- The First Battle of Deep Bottom: July 27-29, 1864
- The Petersburg Campaign: The Battle of the Crater “the Horrid Pit” June 25-August 6, 1864 by Michael Arthur Cavanaugh
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