Battle Name: |
Boydton Plank Road |
Other Names: |
Hatcher’s Run, Burgess’ Mill |
State: |
Virginia |
Location: |
Dinwiddie County |
Campaign: |
Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) |
Dates: |
October 27-28, 1864 |
Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Maj. Gen. Henry Heth [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
Corps (35,000 total) |
Estimated Casualties: |
3,058 total (1,758 US; 1,300 CS) |
Description: |
Directed by Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, divisions from three Union corps (II, V, and IX)
and Gregg’s cavalry division, numbering more than 30,000 men, withdrew from the Petersburg lines and marched
west to operate against the Boydton Plank Road and South Side Railroad. The initial Union advance on October
27 gained the Boydton Plank Road, a major campaign objective. But that afternoon, a counterattack near
Burgess’ Mill spearheaded by Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s division and Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry isolated
the II Corps and forced a retreat. The Confederates retained control of the Boydton Plank Road for the rest of
the winter. |
Results: |
Confederate victory |