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#OTD July 27, 1864, began the three day operation known as the First Battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia. The operation was conceived by U.S. Grant as a diversion to draw Confederate strength away from Petersburg prior to the massive U.S. assault at the Crater on July 30, 1864.
For the operation Grant selected Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock’s veteran II Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Hancock’s purpose was tie down Rebel forces at Chaffin’s Bluff whilst two divisions of the Cavalry Corps would raid in the direction of the enemy capital at Richmond.
The cavalry element of Grant’s operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. Phillip Sheridan, would either attack Richmond directly or move to cut the Virginia Central Railroad, severing a vital supply artery to the Rebel capital.
The Rebels reacted quickly to Hancock’s threatening presence north of the James River. Accordingly, Gen. Robert E. Lee dispatched Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw’s division from his army to reinforce the Confederate lines protecting Richmond.
With additional forces diverted from the Bermuda Hundred and Petersburg, Rebel forces would total over 26,000 men north of the James by the end of the operation.
As Hancock crossed at Deep Bottom, the Rebels took up strong positions atop New Market Heights blocking his advance
As Hancock crossed at Deep Bottom, the Rebels took up strong positions atop New Market Heights blocking his advance
Hancock’s advance would encounter stiff resistance. After initial success, Hancock would determine that the enemy positions on the west bank of Bailey’s Creek was not worth the cost to take them. In the meantime, more Rebel reinforcements arrived from Petersburg.
Henry Heth’s infantry division and Rooney Lee’s cavalry division further strengthened the Rebel positions. Meanwhile, Sheridan found himself unable to undertake either of his proposed missions; his attempt at turning the Rebel left thwarted by a strong counterattack.
By July 28, the operation had accomplished its intended purpose of diverting significant Rebel troops from the Petersburg front. Although Grant believed that the operation could have achieved more had Hancock moved more swiftly, Grant was now focused on the July 30 attack.
