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Other Name: |
Drewry’s Bluff, Fort Darling |
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State: |
Virginia |
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Location: |
Chesterfield County |
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Campaign: |
Bermuda Hundred Campaign (May-June 1864) |
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Dates: |
May 12-16, 1864 |
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Principal Commanders: |
  Union States: Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler
  Confederate States: Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard |
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Forces Engaged: |
  Union States: 30,000
  Confederate States: 18,000 Total: 48,000 total |
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Estimated Casualties: |
6,660 total |
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Results: |
Result(s): Confederate victory |
| Description: |
After his repulse at Swift Creek and Fort Clifton on May 9, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler withdrew into his
entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred. A Confederate army of 18,000 was patched together under command of Gen.
P.G.T. Beauregard to confront Butler’s 30,000. On May 12, Butler moved north against the Confederate line at
Drewry’s Bluff but again adopted a defensive posture when his attack was not supported by gunboats. On the 13th a
Union column struck the right flank of the Confederate line at the Wooldridge House, carrying a line of works. Butler
remained cautious, however, giving Beauregard time to concentrate his forces. On May 16 at dawn, Ransom’s
Confederate division opened an attack on Butler’s right flank, routing many units. Subsequent attacks lost direction in the
fog, but the Federals were disorganized and demoralized. After severe fighting, Butler extricated himself from battle,
withdrawing again to his Bermuda Hundred Line. This battle stopped Butler’s offensive against Richmond. |
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