Second Battle of Fair Oaks

PA-50

Lt. Gen. Ulysses Grant ordered an assault here on 27 Oct. 1864 to divert Confederate attention from a Union attack near Petersburg. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler, Union commander outside Richmond, aspired to outflank the Confederates and capture their capital. The Federal X Corps initiated the attack along Darbytown Road, while the XVIII Corps, delayed by miscommunication, joined in later along Williamsburg Road. Union troops also advanced along Nine Mile Road. Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet strengthened his left flank, forcing the Federals to withdraw on 28 Oct. The Union army suffered about 1,600 casualties and the Confederates about 100.

Department of Historic Resources, 2015

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References/Bibliographic Citation:

CWSAC Battle Summary, Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road Email correspondence with Dave Ruth and Bob Krick, 2 Feb. 2015 John S. Salmon, The Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide, 400, 443-445. Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, ser. 1, vol. 42, pt. 1, 767-780.