Battle of Port Walthall Junction facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Port Walthall Junction
Part of the American Civil War
Date May 6–7, 1864 Location Chesterfield County, Virginia 37°18′42″N 77°24′10″W / 37.3116°N 77.4028°W / 37.3116; -77.4028 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin Butler	Johnson Hagood
Strength
8,000	2,600
Casualties and losses
550

The Battle of Port Walthall Junction was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on May 6–7, 1864. This battle was part of a bigger plan called the Bermuda Hundred campaign. Even though the Confederate soldiers started strong, the Union forces eventually won. This victory allowed the Union army to cut an important railroad line. The Port Walthall Junction was a key spot on the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, connecting to Port Walthall.

What Happened at Port Walthall Junction?

The battle began as part of a larger military plan led by Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. On May 5, 1864, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler led his Union army, which had about 33,000 soldiers. They arrived by ships at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. Their goal was to threaten the important Richmond-Petersburg Railroad.

Map of Port Walthall Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

On May 6, Confederate Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood and his soldiers faced the first attacks from the Union army. They managed to stop the Union probes at Port Walthall Junction.

However, on May 7, a Union division pushed forward. They managed to drive Hagood's soldiers and another Confederate group led by Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson away from the railroad depot. The Union forces then successfully cut the railroad line at Port Walthall Junction. The Confederate defenders had to retreat behind Swift Run Creek and wait for more soldiers to arrive.

The Outcome of the Battle

The Union army won the Battle of Port Walthall Junction. They achieved their goal of cutting the railroad.

• The Union army had more than 300 soldiers who were hurt or killed.
• The Confederate army had fewer than 200 soldiers hurt or killed. Most of these were from Hagood's group.

This battle was an important step in the larger Bermuda Hundred Campaign.