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Battles -
Battle Summaries
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| Battle Name: |
Chaffin’s Farm |
| Other Names: |
Combats at New Market Heights, Forts Harrison, Johnson, and Gilmer; Laurel Hill |
| State: |
Virginia |
| Location: |
Henrico County |
| Campaign: |
Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) |
| Dates: |
September 29-30, 1864 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
Armies |
| Estimated Casualties: |
4,430 total |
| Description: |
During the night of September 28-29, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James crossed James River
to assault the Richmond defenses north of the river. The columns attacked at dawn. After initial Union successes at New
Market Heights and Fort Harrison, the Confederates rallied and contained the breakthrough. Lee reinforced his lines
north of the James and, on September 30, he counterattacked unsuccessfully. The Federals entrenched, and the
Confederates erected a new line of works cutting off the captured forts. Union general Burnham was killed. As Grant
anticipated, Lee shifted troops to meet the threat against Richmond, weakening his lines at Petersburg. |
| Results: |
Union victory |
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