Oct. 27-28, 1864 - Second Battle of Fair Oaks

Oct. 27-28, 1864


Second Battle of Fair Oaks (AKA Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road)


Henrico Co., VA


Grant: Butler (X Corps, XVIII Corps)

vs.

Lee: Longstreet's Corp. 


* FYI this battle is not to be confused with either the Battle of Darbytown Road or the Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads - which both take place earlier this month, nearby. (That's actually what the other marker in the distance is about.) 

*  Nearing the end of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (not the 7 Days), but a lopsided Confederate victory nonetheless. Right before the naval incident at Trent's Reach.  

* My research indicates THIS is the only historical marker in America exclusively celebrating the SECOND battle of Fair Oaks. 


https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=116722

Second Battle of Fair Oaks

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.

Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. 

(Marker Number PA 50.)


Also in this immediate area/time:

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=14256

Richmond Defences
Crossing of the Main Outer Line

The eastern face of the Outer Line of the Confederate defences of Richmond, which here crossed the Darbytown Road, extended Southward from the heights of the Chickahominy to Chaffin's Bluff on James River, a distance of about 11 miles.

 

Erected by Battlefield Markers Association. 

(Marker Number 47.)



See Also:

https://web.archive.org/web/20150304133741/http://www.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va080.htm

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