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Other Name: |
First Battle of Weldon Railroad |
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State: |
Virginia |
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Location: |
Dinwiddie County and Petersburg |
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Campaign: |
Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) |
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Dates: |
June 21-24, 1864 |
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Principal Commanders: |
  Union States: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade
  Confederate States: Gen. Robert E. Lee |
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Forces Engaged: |
Corps |
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Estimated Casualties: |
4,000 total |
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Results: |
Result(s): Union gained ground |
| Description: |
On June 21, the Union II Corps, supported by the VI Corps, attempted to cut the Weldon Railroad, one of the major supply
lines into Petersburg. The movement was preceded by Wilson’s cavalry division which began destroying tracks. On June 22, troops
from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s corps led by Brig. Gen. William Mahone counterattacked, forcing the II Corps away from the railroad to
positions on the Jerusalem Plank Road. Although the Federals were driven from their advanced positions, they were able to extend
their siege lines farther to the west. |
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