Bermuda Hundred Campaign in Virginia
The Bermuda Hundred Campaign, a significant series of battles during the American Civil War, unfolded in and around the strategically important town of Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, just outside the Confederate capital of Richmond, in May 1864. This campaign, though perhaps less widely known than some of the war’s larger engagements, played a crucial role in the broader Union strategy to capture Richmond and ultimately defeat the Confederacy.
Strategic Context and Leadership
The campaign was set in motion by a major shift in Union command. On March 12, 1864, Ulysses S. Grant, a rising star in the Union Army, was appointed Lieutenant General and succeeded Major General Henry W. Halleck as the General-in-Chief of the United States Armies. Recognizing the vital importance of Richmond as a strategic and symbolic target, Grant devised a multi-pronged offensive to bring the Confederate capital under pressure.
As March drew to a close, Grant personally visited the Hampton Roads headquarters of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina to finalize plans for an offensive campaign against Richmond. The operation was entrusted to Major General Benjamin Butler, a controversial figure known for his political connections as much as his military acumen. Butler’s Army of the James, a formidable force numbering over 40,000 men, was tasked with advancing on Richmond from the east, aiming to disrupt Confederate supply lines and potentially capture the city.
However, the Union advance was met with determined resistance from Confederate forces under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard, a seasoned military leader known for his defensive skills. The ensuing battles were characterized by a mix of strategic maneuvering, tactical engagements, and ultimately, a stalemate that prevented the Union from achieving its objectives.
Key Battles of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign
The Bermuda Hundred Campaign consisted of several key battles, each contributing to the overall narrative of the campaign:
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Port Walthall Junction (May 6-7, 1864): This initial engagement took place in Chesterfield County, marking the opening moves of Butler’s offensive. In conjunction with General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, Butler’s Army of the James disembarked from transports at Bermuda Hundred on May 5, posing a direct threat to the Richmond-Petersburg Railroad, a vital Confederate supply line. On May 6, Confederate Brigadier General Johnson Hagood’s brigade successfully stalled the initial Federal probes at Port Walthall Junction. However, on May 7, a determined Union division drove Hagood’s brigades from the depot, effectively cutting the railroad at Port Walthall Junction. The Confederate defenders retreated behind Swift Run Creek, awaiting reinforcements. This Union victory, though relatively small in scale, resulted in an estimated 550 total casualties and demonstrated the Union’s initial ability to disrupt Confederate infrastructure.
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Swift Creek (May 9, 1864): Also known as the Battle of Arrowfield Church, this engagement took place in Chesterfield County. On May 9, General Butler pushed towards Petersburg, a critical rail hub south of Richmond, but was met by General Bushrod Johnson’s Division at Swift Creek. A premature Confederate attack at Arrowfield Church was repulsed with heavy losses, but the Union forces failed to capitalize on their advantage. After some skirmishing, Butler seemed content to tear up railroad tracks rather than press the attack on the Confederate defenders. In a related action, five Federal gunboats steamed up the Appomattox River to bombard Fort Clifton. Simultaneously, Colonel Edward Hincks’ U.S. Colored Troops infantry division attempted to advance through the marshy ground from the land side. However, the gunboats were quickly driven off, and the infantry attack was abandoned. This inconclusive battle resulted in an estimated 990 total casualties, highlighting the challenges faced by both sides in the difficult terrain.
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Chester Station (May 10, 1864): This engagement, also occurring in Chesterfield County, involved elements of Confederate Major General Robert Ransom’s division conducting a reconnaissance-in-force against a portion of Butler’s army, with the objective of destroying the railroad at Chester Station. The Confederates launched their attack near the Winfree House, forcing the Federals to retreat to their Bermuda Hundred lines. The battle was inconclusive, with an estimated 280 Union casualties and 249 Confederate casualties.
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Proctor’s Creek (May 12-16, 1864): This four-day engagement, also known as the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff or Fort Darling, was a pivotal moment in the campaign. Following his repulse at Swift Creek and Fort Clifton on May 9, General Butler withdrew into his entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred. A Confederate army of 18,000 men was assembled under General Beauregard’s command to confront Butler’s 30,000 troops. On May 12, Butler moved north against the Confederate line at Drewry’s Bluff but again adopted a defensive posture when gunboats failed to provide support for his attack. On May 13, a Union column struck the Confederate line’s right flank at the Wooldridge House, capturing a line of works. However, Butler remained cautious, allowing Beauregard time to concentrate his forces. At dawn on May 16, General Ransom’s Confederate division launched a devastating attack on Butler’s right flank, routing many Union units. Subsequent attacks became disorganized in the fog, but the Federals were already demoralized. After intense fighting, Butler disengaged and retreated to his Bermuda Hundred Line. This Confederate victory, resulting in an estimated 6,660 total casualties, effectively halted Butler’s offensive against Richmond.
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Ware Bottom Church (May 20, 1864): This engagement, also in Chesterfield County, saw Confederate forces under General Beauregard attack Butler’s Bermuda Hundred line near Ware Bottom Church. Approximately 10,000 troops were involved in this action. After driving back Butler’s advanced pickets, the Confederates constructed the Howlett Line, effectively bottling up the Federals at Bermuda Hundred. The Confederate victories at Proctor’s Creek and Ware Bottom Church allowed Beauregard to detach significant reinforcements for General Robert E. Lee’s army in time to fight at Cold Harbor. The Confederate victory resulted in estimated total casualties of 1,500.
Aftermath and Significance
The Bermuda Hundred Campaign, while not a resounding victory for either side, had significant strategic consequences. Although General Butler’s initial objective was to capture Richmond, his army was effectively contained within the Bermuda Hundred peninsula by Beauregard’s forces. This containment prevented Butler from directly threatening Richmond and diverted Union resources away from other critical theaters of the war.
However, the campaign also tied down a significant portion of Confederate forces, preventing them from reinforcing Lee’s army in the face of Grant’s Overland Campaign. In this sense, the Bermuda Hundred Campaign contributed to the overall Union strategy of attrition, gradually weakening the Confederacy’s ability to wage war.
Ultimately, the Bermuda Hundred Campaign stands as a testament to the complex and multifaceted nature of the Civil War, where strategic objectives, tactical engagements, and leadership decisions all played a crucial role in shaping the course of the conflict.