P.G.T. Beauregard’s Confederates and Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals assemble around Drewry’s Bluff, about five miles from Richmond on the James River. After Beauregard gets reinforcements and Butler stalls, both commanders plan to attack.
Tag: Army of the James
The James River Campaign Begins
Another front opens in Virginia, as Benjamin F. Butler’s Federal Army of the James boards transports at Yorktown to move up the James River and cut the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad.
A New Federal Army on the Peninsula
Ulysses S. Grant orders Benjamin F. Butler and his new Federal army to begin moving up the Virginia Peninsula from Fort Monroe by May 5. Grant’s goal is to eventually link the Armies of the Potomac and the James for a drive on Richmond or Petersburg. Meanwhile, P.G.T. Beauregard is brought up from South Carolina to prepare the Confederates to defend against Butler’s army.