[
529]
been promptly erected around it and on the banks of the
Appomattox, while
Drewry's Bluff, also, afforded a good and strong point of defence.
Grant found it now necessary to “hammer” at
Petersburg, which, properly regarded, was then a mere outpost of the
Confederate capital, for even if he took the first, or rather the line of works that commanded it, similar works, around
Richmond, twenty miles off, confronted him.
Smith's corps, of
Butler's command, having disembarked at
Bermuda Hundred on the 14th June, moved rapidly upon
Petersburg, and made an assault on the batteries covering the approaches to the town on the northeast.
He got possession of this line of works, but was too timid to push his advantage, and waited the coming up of the Second Corps, under
Hancock, two divisions of which arrived during the night, and relieved a part of
Smith's line in the captured works.
An attack was ordered in the evening of the next day,
Burnside's corps having also come up and gone into position on the left.
Three assaults were made with disastrous result; the
Confederates assuming the aggressive, driving the enemy from his breastworks at Howlett's House, and opening upon him an enfilading fire, in which a large portion of a brigade that had sought shelter in a ravine was captured by a Georgia regiment.
The next day the Fifth Corps was got up, and a third attack was made by the enemy four corps strong.
It was repulsed at all parts of the line; and, again assuming the offensive, the
Confederates made an attack on
Burnside's line of advanced rifle-pits, drove the enemy back upon his supports, and remained in possession until day-light, when they retired to their own works.
Meanwhile
Butler, taking advantage of the
Confederates in his front having been withdrawn to
Petersburg, sallied from behind his entrenchments and advanced towards the railroad, intending to tear it up.
Lee promptly prepared for him. The lines necessarily vacated by
Beauregard, when he had to fall back and defend
Petersburg, had already been taken possession of by the
Federals; but directly
Butler made his attempt,
Anderson was despatched with his corps from
Richmond to repulse him. This was done most effectively-
Pickett's division, the heroes of
Gettysburg, again making here an impetuous charge, capturing the breastworks of the enemy.
We may imagine how unfortunate
Butler was in his official announcement of great victories, for on the very day that he despatched that he had destroyed the communication with
Richmond,
Gen. Lee was sending, by the railroad, troops from the capital for the defence of
Petersburg.
