Totopotomoy Creek

Bethesda Church

Hanover County, VA  |  May 28 - 30, 1864

On May 29, 1864, after falling back from the North Anna River, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia sought a new line of defense between Richmond and Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s pursuing Union forces. Lee took up a position on the south bank of Totopotomoy Creek, just 12 miles from the Confederate capital. After cavalry skirmishes along the Pamunkey River on May 28, Grant’s infantry followed and faced Lee on May 29. The next day, the II Corps division of Brig. Gen. Francis Barlow forced a crossing near the Rural Plains estate, capturing the first line of Confederate trenches but was stopped at the main defensive line. The V Corps on the Union left attempted a turning movement near Bethesda Church, but was repulsed. Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside’s IX Corps supported the center along the Shady Grove Road, but no major breakthroughs were achieved there. On May 31, both sides pulled back and maneuvered southeast again towards Cold Harbor. Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero's United States Colored Troops (USCT) division camped along Totopotomoy Creek later in June. 

All battles of the Grant's Overland Campaign

The Wilderness
Spotsylvania and Orange Counties, VA  |  May 5 - 7, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 29,800
Union: 17,000
Confederate: 13,000
Spotsylvania Court House
Spotsylvania County, VA  |  May 8 - 21, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 31,086
Union: 18,399
Confederate: 12,687
North Anna
Caroline County and Hanover County, VA  |  May 23 - 26, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 4,200
Union: 2,600
Confederate: 1,600
Totopotomoy Creek
Hanover County, VA  |  May 28 - 30, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 2,324
Union: 731
Confederate: 1,593
Cold Harbor
Hanover County, VA  |  May 31 - Jun 12, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 17,332
Union: 12,737
Confederate: 4,595
Trevilian Station
Louisa County, VA  |  Jun 11 - 12, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,950
Union: 950
Confederate: 1,000

Related Battles

Hanover County, VA | May 28, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Commanders
Forces Engaged
80,000
Union
50,000
Confed.
30,000
Estimated Casualties
2,324
Union
731
Confed.
1,593

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