Second Deep Bottom

Fussell’s Mill

Henrico County, VA  |  Aug 13 - 20, 1864

In early August 1864, Union forces under Gen. Winfield S. Hancock launched an expedition north of the James River against Confederate defenses near Deep Bottom southeast of Richmond. Hancock’s men failed to dislodge the Confederates but managed to hold on to their bridgehead on the James. 

How It Ended

Stalemate. After several days of fighting, both sides fought to a standstill, and Hancock decided to withdraw.

In Context

As he had done in late July during the Battle of the Crater, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant called upon Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock and his Second Corps to attack Gen. Robert E. Lee around Richmond. Hancock’s movement would serve as a diversion to an offensive below the James River against the Weldon Railroad. 

In July 1864, Robert E. Lee dispatched Gen. Jubal Early to operate in the Shenandoah Valley. Grant eventually dispatched Gen. Philip Sheridan to deal with Early. Hoping to augment Early’s force, Lee sent reinforcements under Gen. Richard Anderson. Grant hoped to exploit Anderson’s absence and planned a two-pronged offensive on both sides of the James River.

Forces Engaged
43,000
Union
28,000
Confed.
15,000

By the morning of August 14th, Hancock had his men across the James River and in position to attack the Confederate lines. Gen. David D. Barney’s 10th Corps, detached with Hancock, found Confederates dug in along New Market Heights. Some fighting in the area around Fussell’s Mill, east of New Market Heights, resulted in the Federals gaining some ground. On the 16th, the Federals launched another attack at Fussell’s Mill. The assault opened a gap in the Confederate line, however, Union infantry were driven back by counterattacks.

Union
2,899
0 killed
0 wounded
0 missing & captured
Estimated Casualties
4,399
Union
2,899
Confed.
1,500
Confederate
1,500
0 killed
0 wounded
0 missing & captured

Several days of fighting and sporadic skirmishing ensued. Eventually, both sides were worn out by the combat and extreme heat. Hancock abandoned the fight on the 20th and withdrew back across the James River.

1. Why did the Union army attack near Deep Bottom twice?

The Deep Bottom area offered the Union army a unique position to attack the Confederate defenses only a few miles outside the city of Richmond. If these lines were punctured and broken, then the Federal army had an opportunity to capture the Confederate capital.

2. What role did the weather play in the Battle of Second Deep Bottom?

Before the Union forces under Hancock moved from their positions across the James River, many of the Federal soldiers experienced heat exhaustion. On the morning of the 14th, Birney’s men were slowed due to the extreme heat. This slowed the Union advance and ultimately delayed the Federal assault.

All battles of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign

Petersburg
City of Petersburg, VA  |  Jun 15 - 18, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 11,386
Union: 8,150
Confederate: 3,236
First Battle of Deep Bottom
Henrico County, VA  |  Jul 27 - 29, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,167
Union: 488
Confederate: 679
The Crater
Petersburg, VA  |  Jul 30, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 5,289
Union: 3,798
Confederate: 1,491
Second Deep Bottom
Henrico County, VA  |  Aug 13 - 20, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 4,399
Union: 2,899
Confederate: 1,500
Reams Station
Dinwiddie County, VA  |  Aug 25, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 3,561
Union: 2,747
Confederate: 814
New Market Heights
Henrico County, VA  |  Sep 29 - 30, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 5,900
Union: 4,150
Confederate: 1,750
Fort Harrison
Henrico, Virginia  |  Sep 29 - 30, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Union: 4,150
Confederate: 1,750
Peebles' Farm
Dinwiddie County, VA  |  Sep 30 - Oct 2, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 4,140
Union: 2,900
Confederate: 1,240
Hatcher's Run
Dinwiddie County, VA  |  Feb 5 - 7, 1865
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 2,539
Union: 1,539
Confederate: 1,000
Fort Stedman
Petersburg, VA  |  Mar 25, 1865
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 3,850
Union: 950
Confederate: 2,900

Related Battles

Henrico County, VA | August 13, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Commanders
Forces Engaged
43,000
Union
28,000
Confed.
15,000
Estimated Casualties
4,399
Union
2,899
Confed.
1,500

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