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[ “if we only
could have been a little quicker and more driving, we might have had
Petersburg at a mouthful,” wrote
Lyman some days after the Army of the Potomac had crossed the
James.
“The strategy of
Grant had deceived
Lee, who failed to divine the movement, and did nothing therefore to impede it.”
1
Butler, in command of the Army of the James, was encamped at
Bermuda Hundred.
Grant ordered him to advance and capture
Petersburg.
But
Butler did not rise to the occasion; he sent only part of his forces, under
Baldy Smith, who had reinforced
Butler, which captured some strong outer fortifications but which did not advance on the city, although it was feebly garrisoned.
When
Grant and
Meade arrived, the town had been reinforced.
The attacks of June 16, 17, and 18 were repulsed with great loss to the
Union forces.
No new assaults were ordered, and the investment of
Petersburg began.]