Battle of Boydton Plank Road Facts

October 27–28, 1864

Boydton Plank Road Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Winfield Scott Hancock, Civil War General

The Battle of Boydton Plank Road was Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s last battle of the Civil War. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Also Known As

  • Battle of Burgess Mill
  • First Battle of Hatcher’s Run

Date

  • October 27-28, 1864

Location

  • Dinwiddie County, Virginia, south of Petersburg

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Two divisions from Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s 2nd Corps
  • Major General Gouverneur K. Warren’s 5th Corps
  • Major General John G. Parke’s 9th Corps
  • Brigadier General David M. Gregg’s cavalry division

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Major General Henry Heth’s infantry division
  • Major General William Mahone infantry division
  • Major General Wade Hampton’s cavalry corps

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 30,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 11,700

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 1,758 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 1,300 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Result

  • Confederate victory

Significance

  • Last major Civil War battle in Virginia in 1864.
  • Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s last battle of the Civil War.
  • Fought in conjunction with the Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road.

Timeline of the Petersburg Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Petersburg Campaign in order.