Battle of Fair Oaks

OTHER NAME: Second Fair Oaks

CAMPAIGN: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign

DATE(S): June-December 1864

PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Major General Benjamin Butler [US] Major General James Longstreet [CS]

ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 1703 total (US 1603; CS 100;)

DESCRIPTION:

In combination with movements against the Boydton Plank Road at Petersburg, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler attacked the Richmond defenses along Darbytown Road with the X Corps. The XVIII Corps marched north to Fair Oaks where it was soundly repulsed by Field's Confederate division. Confederate forces counterattacked, taking some 600 prisoners. The Richmond defenses remained intact. Of Grant's offensives north of the James River, this was repulsed most easily.

RESULTS: Confederate Victory

 

Twin houses on the Fair Oaks battlefield, with a 32-pound field howitzer in the foreground.

Union Artillerists pose at their posts near the Seven Pines (aka Fair Oaks) battlefield.