Battle of Totopotomoy Creek Facts

May 28–30, 1864

Key facts about the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, also known as the Battle of Bethesda Church.

Portrait of George G. Meade

Although Major General George Meade (pictured here)commanded the Army of the Potomac at Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, Meade’s superior, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, accompanied the Union army during the battle and throughout the Overland Campaign. [Wikimedia Commons]

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Also Known As

  • Battle of Bethesda Church
  • Battle of Crumps Creek
  • Battle of Matadequin Creek
  • Battle of Shady Grove Road
  • Battle of Hanovertown

Date

  • May 29–30, 1864

Location

  • Hanover County in east-central Virginia, along Totopotomoy Creek

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Potomac

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of Northern Virginia

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 100,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 50,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 731 (679 killed and wounded, 52 captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 1,593 (263 killed, 961 wounded, 369 captured/missing)

Result

  • Inconclusive

Significance

  • Although Major General George Meade commanded the Army of the Potomac at Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, Meade’s superior, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, accompanied the Union army during the battle and throughout the Overland Campaign.
  • On May 31, Union General Ulysses S. Grant evacuated his position at Totopotomoy Creek and ordered the Army of the Potomac to continue to advance to the southeast.

Timeline of the Overland Campaign

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

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Battle of Totopotomoy Creek Facts
  • Date May 28–30, 1864
  • Author
  • Keywords battle of totopotomoy creek, battle of bethesda church, crumps creek, matadequin creek, shady grove road, and hanovertown, ulysses s. grant, overland campaign, american civil war, robert e. lee
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date June 8, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 6, 2022

Battle of Totopotomoy Creek Facts is Part of the Following on AHC