First Battle of Petersburg Facts, Details, and Timeline

Definition

The First Battle of Petersburg was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on June 9, 1864, during the American Civil War.

Quick Facts

• Also Known As: The First Battle of Petersburg is also called the “Battle of Old Men and Young Boys.”
• Date Started: The First Battle of Petersburg started on Thursday, June 9, 1864.
• Date Ended: The fighting ended on June 9, 1864.
• Location: The battle took place in Petersburg, Virginia.
• Who Won: The Confederate States of America won the First Battle of Petersburg.
• Civil War Campaign: The First Battle of Petersburg was part of the Petersburg Campaign.

This photo shows Union bomb shelters that were set up during the Siege of Petersburg. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Interesting Facts

• Some historians consider the First Battle of Petersburg to be the initial engagement of the Petersburg Campaign of 1864–65.

Commanders and Forces Involved

Principal Union Commanders

• Major General Quincy A. Gillmore
• Brigadier General August Kautz

Principal Confederate Commanders

• General P. G. T. Beauregard
• Brigadier General Henry A. Wise

Union Forces Engaged

• Army of the James

Confederate Forces Engaged

• Local militia, most of whom were old men and young boys.

Casualties and Statistics

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

• Roughly 4,500

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

• Roughly 2,500

Estimated Union Casualties

• 40 (killed, wounded, missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

• 80 (killed, wounded, missing/captured)

Results of the First Battle of Petersburg

• The outcome of the First Battle of Petersburg was a Confederate victory.

Timeline of the First Battle of Petersburg

This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the First Battle of Petersburg, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Petersburg Campaign.

• June 9, 1864 — First Battle of Petersburg
• June 15–18, 1864 — Second Battle of Petersburg
• June 21–23, 1864 — Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road
• June 22–July 1, 1864 – Wilson-Kautz Raid
• June 25, 1864 — Battle of Staunton River Bridge
• June 28, 1864 — Battle of Sappony Church
• June 29, 1864 — First Battle of First Ream’s Station
• July 27–29, 1864 — First Battle of Deep Bottom
• July 30, 1864 — Battle of the Crater
• August 13–20, 1864 — Second Battle of Deep Bottom
• August 18–21, 1864 — Battle of Globe Tavern
• August 25, 1864 — Second Battle of Ream’s Station
• September 29–30, 1864 — Battle of Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights
• September 30–October 2, 1864 — Battle of Peebles Farm
• October 7, 1864 — Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads
• October 13, 1864 — Battle of Darbytown Road
• October 27–28, 1864 — Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road
• October 27–28, 1864 — Battle of Boydton Plank Road
• February 5–7, 1865 — Battle of Hatcher’s Run
• March 25, 1865 — Battle of Fort Stedman