First Battle of Deep Bottom

On the night of 26-27 July 1864, a Union battle group led by Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock crossed the James River on pontoon bridges a mile south. Hancock intended to attack Confederate defenses below Richmond while the primary Federal force in Petersburg launched a new offensive. He also planned to send cavalry northward to raid Richmond's railroad supply lines. On 27 July, men of the II Corps attacked the Confederate position along River Road (Rte. 5) and captured four cannons near here. Indecisiveness coupled with Confederate countermeasures stalled Hancock's operation. His force withdrew across the river on 29 July.