Richmond Must Fall: The Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, October 1864

Chapter 9. Nine Mile Road

168 richmond must fall The severe repulse at the Williamsburg Road did not exhaust godfrey Weitzel’s opportunities east of Richmond. as his initial efforts faltered, he received a message from Butler directing a probe of the York River Railroad, which was farther to the north.1 Such a reconnaissance would stretch the Confederate left even more, not only prohibiting Confederate commanders from sending troops to Petersburg but also possibly opening opportunities for Union troops elsewhere in Butler’s sector. in response to the order, Weitzel detached the three USCt regiments of Colonel John Holman’s brigade from the third division. Holman’s men had reached Fair oaks around 3 p.m., after the commencement of the fighting there, and taken a position in reserve. With the claps and booms of combat penetrating the pine woods, Weitzel directed Holman to advance along the York River Railroad until he arrived “within sight of the enemy’s line, and then to halt and report to corps headquarters.”2 “an equal grave when he falls” John Holman’s brigade represented one of several african american units serving in Benjamin Butler’s army in the autumn of 1864. among Union commanders, Butler stood out as a steadfast supporter of the black soldiers, the United States Colored troops.3 during october, his army counted six USCt brigades.4 He took pains to seek competent officers to lead these units and backed equal pay for the black troops. “The colored man fills an equal space in the ranks while he lives,” he explained, “and an equal grave when he falls.”5 He did not relegate the black troops to secondary roles. They participated in assaults and manned the front lines, just as the white troops did. Butler took an interest in more than their fighting abilities, as well, devoting time and resources to educate the hundreds, if not thousands, of former slaves in his army. He also ensured the availability of excellent medical care for these men.6 With orders in hand, Holman led his troops northwest along the nine Mile Road 168 Chapter 9 nine Mile Road • nine mile road 169 with the 22nd USCt in the van. The route led from Seven Pines, across the York River Railroad at Fair oaks, and eventually to the new Bridge Road at a spot identified on period maps as “old tavern,” probably nothing more than a chimney or perhaps a few bricks by october 1864.7 The rebel trenches passed through this spot on their way north to a bluff at Mrs. Price’s farm overlooking the Chickahominy River.8 Beyond the old tavern junction, the roads coursed west to Richmond. in 1862, general george McClellan had identified the high ground at old tavern as the lynchpin to Richmond’s fall. He reasoned that heavy artillery, concentrated on this rise four miles from the city, would pummel the inner defenses and help bring the capital to its knees. But his efforts to seize this ground failed.9 By 1864, the old tavern position no longer held the same luster for Union commanders . no mention of it appears in Union battle reports for october 27. at Petersburg and Richmond, grant had not seriously pursued siege tactics during the campaign. The old tavern site had become just one position of many along the dizzying chain of ditches comprising the Confederate lines. as the USCts neared the old tavern site, five officers from Holman’s staff and three orderlies, including an unarmed surgeon, encountered a squad of enemy cavalry across their path. The Union men drew their sabers and spurred forward. The Confederates emptied their weapons and then “fled in great disorder.”10 ahead, more Confederate cavalry appeared near the Confederate defenses. in the distance, a small Confederate fortification known as Battery ewell blocked the nine Mile Road.11 Between this small battery and Holman’s advancing regiments lay a patch of woods south of the road. Beyond this timber the Confederates had cleared the ground, and to the north stretched more open land, crossed by a narrow stream. Concerned about the obstacles and men in his front, Holman prepared for a fight and formed his regiments into battle line with the 1st and 22nd USCt on the left, south of the nine Mile Road, and the 37th USCt on the right. The three regiments presented a mix of backgrounds. The 1st USCt, filled with district of Columbia residents, had been the first federally authorized black regiment. The 22nd USCt...