The Bermuda Hundred Campaign, a pivotal series of engagements during the American Civil War, unfolded in May 1864 near Richmond, Virginia. This significant military operation, part of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant’s broader strategy against the Confederacy, saw Union forces under Major General Benjamin Butler attempt to disrupt Confederate supply lines and threaten the capital, Richmond. The campaign’s events at Bermuda Hundred ultimately played a crucial role in shaping the strategic landscape of the war in Virginia.
In early 1864, with Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant assuming command as General in Chief of the United States Armies, a comprehensive offensive was planned against the Confederacy. Grant’s strategy involved a coordinated movement, with his Overland Campaign directly engaging Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Concurrently, Major General Benjamin Butler was tasked with leading the Army of the James, numbering over 40,000 men, in an offensive against Richmond from the east. This force was to operate from Bermuda Hundred, a neck of land between the James and Appomattox Rivers, aiming to cut the vital Richmond-Petersburg Railroad and divert Confederate resources. However, Union advances were consistently met by determined Confederate forces commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard.
Early Engagements: Skirmishes and Strategic Probes
The initial phase of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign involved several probing actions as Union forces sought to establish a foothold and assess Confederate defenses.
Port Walthall Junction (May 6-7, 1864)
The campaign commenced with the Battle of Port Walthall Junction in Chesterfield County. As Grant’s Overland Campaign began, Major General Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James, approximately 33,000 strong, disembarked at Bermuda Hundred on May 5th. Their immediate objective was to sever the Richmond-Petersburg Railroad, a critical Confederate artery. On May 6th, initial Federal probes were met by Confederate Brigadier General Johnson Hagood’s brigade, which successfully stalled the Union advance. However, the following day, a Union division managed to dislodge Hagood’s forces from the depot, successfully cutting the railroad at Port Walthall Junction. Confederate defenders then withdrew behind Swift Run Creek, awaiting reinforcements. This early Union victory, though limited, signaled the campaign’s intent, with estimated total casualties reaching 550.
Swift Creek (May 9, 1864)
Known also as the Battle of Arrowfield Church, this engagement occurred in Chesterfield County as Butler pressed towards Petersburg. Union forces encountered Confederate General Bushrod Johnson’s Division at Swift Creek. A premature and ill-fated Confederate attack at Arrowfield Church was repulsed with significant losses. Despite this setback for the Confederates, Union forces under Butler did not vigorously pursue their advantage. Instead, Butler focused on destroying sections of the railroad tracks, demonstrating a cautious approach rather than pressing the defenders directly. Simultaneously, five Federal gunboats attempted to bombard Fort Clifton via the Appomattox River, while Colonel Edward Hincks’ U.S. Colored Troops infantry division struggled through the challenging marshy terrain from the land side. Both the naval and infantry assaults were ultimately abandoned, leading to an inconclusive battle with an estimated 990 total casualties.
Chester Station (May 10, 1864)
Continuing the pattern of limited engagements in Chesterfield County, elements of Confederate Major General Robert Ransom’s division conducted a reconnaissance-in-force against a segment of Major General Benjamin Butler’s army. The Confederates successfully engaged Federal troops near the Winfree House, destroying a portion of the railroad at Chester Station before the Federals retired to their fortified Bermuda Hundred lines. This engagement, like many others in the early stages of the campaign, was inconclusive, resulting in estimated Union casualties of 280 and Confederate casualties of 249. These smaller battles underscored the defensive strength of the Confederates and the challenges Butler faced in breaking through.
The Pivotal Battles: Stalling the Union Advance
As the campaign progressed, the fighting escalated, culminating in engagements that effectively halted Butler’s offensive capabilities.
Proctor’s Creek (May 12-16, 1864)
This critical four-day engagement, also known as the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff or Fort Darling, was fought in Chesterfield County and represented a major turning point in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. Following his earlier repulse at Swift Creek, Major General Benjamin Butler withdrew into his established entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred. A hastily assembled Confederate army of approximately 18,000 men, commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard, prepared to confront Butler’s roughly 30,000 troops. On May 12th, Butler initiated a northward movement against the formidable Confederate line at Drewry’s Bluff. However, when promised gunboat support failed to materialize effectively, Butler adopted a defensive posture. The following day, a Union column managed to strike the Confederate right flank near the Wooldridge House, successfully carrying a line of works. Despite this tactical gain, Butler’s characteristic caution gave Beauregard precious time to concentrate his scattered forces. At dawn on May 16th, Confederate Major General Ransom’s division launched a surprise attack against Butler’s right flank, causing significant disarray and routing many Union units. Subsequent Confederate attacks lost some cohesion in the dense morning fog, but the Federal forces were already disorganized and demoralized. After intense and costly fighting, Butler was compelled to extricate his command, withdrawing once more to his Bermuda Hundred Line. This decisive Confederate victory effectively halted Butler’s direct offensive against Richmond, incurring estimated total casualties of 6,660.
Ware Bottom Church (May 20, 1864)
The final significant engagement of the main Bermuda Hundred Campaign took place near Ware Bottom Church in Chesterfield County. Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard launched an attack against General Benjamin Butler’s Bermuda Hundred line, involving approximately 10,000 troops. After successfully driving back Butler’s advanced pickets, the Confederates proceeded to construct what became known as the Howlett Line. This series of fortifications proved exceptionally effective, successfully
