The Bermuda Hundred Campaign

On May 4, 1864, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler began to load 38,000 men of the Army of the James on transport ships at Newport News and Yorktown, Virginia. Their goal was a neck of land in Chesterfield County known as Bermuda Hundred. Butler was to land there, secure a base of operations and sever the rail link between Richmond and Petersburg. If practicable, he would advance on either Richmond or Petersburg. At the same time Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant would move the Army of the Potomac across the Rapidan River and attempt to crush Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

On May 5th, Butler's troops seized Bermuda Hundred and City Point. After establishing a beachhead, Butler's troops advanced to this point and began to dig a line of defensive earthworks on May 6th. The 18th Corps established a line of works here with its left anchored on the Appomattox River and its right in the vicinity of Ware Bottom Church approximately two miles north of where you are standing. Remnants of these earthworks can be seen just inside the woodline in front of you. The 10th Corps then picked up the line at Ware Bottom Church and extended it north another mile to the James River.

Butler had successfully landed his men to the complete surprise of the Confederates and had established a defensive front. Meanwhile, Confederate commanders were trying to gather their scattered forces to counter this new threat. For a brief period of time the doors to Richmond and Petersburg were wide open.

(captions)
Army of the James landing at Bermuda Hundred May 6, 1864
Harpers Weekly engraving of the Army of the James landing at City Point (Williams Collection)
This sign was sponsored by Dr. Charles T. Smallwood Jr., South Easton, MA

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Chester, VA  |  Chesterfield County  |  23836  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

The Bermuda Hundred Campaign-Federal Leaders
Confederate Leaders
Welcome to R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks
Point of Rocks
Actions in the East 1861-1863
Opening Actions of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign
Federal War Plans for 1864
Grant's Virginia Campaigns
The United States Submarine Propeller Alligator
Pontoon Bridge

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.