First Battle of Deep Bottom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Battle of Deep Bottom
Part of the American Civil War
Capture of four guns by Barlow's Division, July 27, 1864
Date July 27–29, 1864 Location Henrico County, Virginia Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Winfield S. Hancock Philip H. Sheridan	Richard S. Ewell Richard H. Anderson
Casualties and losses
488 (62 killed, 340 wounded, 86 missing/captured).	679 (80 killed, 391 wounded, 208 missing/captured)

The First Battle of Deep Bottom was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened from July 27 to 29, 1864, near a place called Deep Bottom in Henrico County, Virginia. This battle is also known by other names like Darbytown, Strawberry Plains, New Market Road, or Gravel Hill.

Union (Northern) forces, led by Maj. Gens. Winfield S. Hancock and Philip H. Sheridan, went on a mission. Their goal was to threaten Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy (the South). They hoped this would make the Confederate army move troops away from the important city of Petersburg, Virginia. This move was planned to help the Union's big attack coming soon at the Battle of the Crater.

Even though the Union soldiers and cavalry (horseback soldiers) could not break through the strong Confederate defenses, their plan worked. The battle made the Confederates send soldiers away from Petersburg, which was exactly what the Union wanted.

Why the Battle Happened

Deep Bottom is a common name for an area along the James River in Henrico County. It's about 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Richmond, Virginia. This spot was important because it was an easy place to cross the river.

The Siege of Petersburg

In June 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the main Union commander, started a siege of Petersburg, Virginia. His first attacks on the Confederate lines had failed. While Union cavalry tried to cut railroad lines into Petersburg, Grant planned another big attack for July 30. This attack would become known as the Battle of the Crater.

Grant wanted to make sure his attack on Petersburg would succeed. So, he planned a move against Richmond. He hoped that Gen. Robert E. Lee, the main Confederate commander, would send troops from Petersburg to defend Richmond. This would make the Petersburg defenses weaker.

Pontoon bridge at Deep Bottom

Grant's Plan

Grant ordered the II Corps (a large group of soldiers) and two divisions of cavalry to cross the James River at Deep Bottom. Their mission was to advance toward Richmond. A division from another Union corps had already crossed to secure a safe spot on the riverbank.

Grant's plan was for the infantry (foot soldiers) to hold down the Confederates near Richmond. This would stop them from sending help to fight the cavalry. The cavalry was supposed to attack Richmond if they could. If not, which Grant thought was more likely, they were to ride around the city. Their goal was to cut the Virginia Central Railroad, which brought supplies to Richmond.

Confederate defenses around Richmond were led by Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell. When Lee learned about the Union movement, he sent more soldiers to Richmond. He wanted to make sure the city was well-protected. These extra troops moved to positions on the eastern side of New Market Heights.

The Battle

July 27: Union Advance

First Battle of Deep Bottom      Confederate      Union

Hancock and Sheridan's troops started crossing the river at 3 a.m. on July 27. The Union soldiers broke through some Confederate rifle pits and captured four cannons. They kept moving toward Long Bridge Road. After some fighting, the Union II Corps set up positions near Bailey's Creek.

Sheridan's cavalry rode to high ground near Fussell's Mill. They captured this important spot, but Confederate soldiers quickly counterattacked. The Confederates pushed the Union cavalry back. The Confederate defenses on the other side of Bailey's Creek were very strong. Hancock decided not to attack them directly. He spent the rest of the day looking for a weaker spot.

While Hancock was trying to figure out what to do, Robert E. Lee started sending more soldiers from Petersburg. This was exactly what Grant had hoped for. Lee put Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson in charge of the Deep Bottom area. He also sent more infantry and cavalry divisions to help.

July 28: Cavalry Fight

On the morning of July 28, Grant sent more Union troops to help Hancock. This allowed one of Hancock's divisions to try an attack on the Confederate left side. Sheridan's cavalry also tried to move around the Confederate left flank near Gravel Hill.

However, the Confederates attacked first. Three brigades (groups of soldiers) attacked Sheridan's right side. The Union cavalrymen lay down on the ground behind a small hill. When the Confederates charged over the hill, they faced heavy fire from the Union's fast-shooting carbines. Union soldiers on horseback then chased the Confederates and captured almost 200 prisoners. The Confederates managed to capture one Union cannon before they went back to their defenses.

What Happened Next

By the afternoon of July 28, Hancock had moved his divisions to make sure they could safely return to the Deep Bottom crossing point. There was no more fighting after that. The mission against Richmond and its railroads was over.

General Grant was happy that the operation had pulled enough Confederate soldiers away from Petersburg. He decided to go ahead with his big attack on the Crater on July 30. He ordered Hancock to send one of his divisions to Petersburg that night to help with the assault. The rest of the Union soldiers and cavalry crossed back over the James River on July 31.

The Union army had 488 casualties (soldiers killed, wounded, or captured) in the First Battle of Deep Bottom. The Confederate army had 679 casualties. Another battle, the Second Battle of Deep Bottom, would happen in the same area later in August 1864.

Battlefield Preservation

The Civil War Trust (which is part of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have worked to save parts of the battlefield. They have protected 258 acres (1.04 km²) of this historic site.

See also

In Spanish: Primera batalla de Deep Bottom para niños