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American Civil WarSoldiers
20th North Carolina Infantry Regiment
HATCHER'S RUN, VA
Feb. 5-7, 1865
2nd, 5th, 6th and 9th Army Corps, and 2nd Cavalry Division,
Army of the Potomac
Gen. U. S. Grant, commanding the Federal forces about
Petersburg, learned that the Confederates were receiving
supplies by means of wagon trains from Hicksford on the Weldon
railroad, via of Dinwiddie Court House over the Boydton plank
road, and decided to break up this line of supply.
Brig.-Gen. J. I. Gregg, commanding the and cavalry division,
was ordered to move with his command at 3 a. m. on the 5th and
endeavor to intercept the trains. Maj.-Gen. G. K. Warren was
directed to cross Hatcher's run with the 5th corps and take
position on the Vaughan road about half-way between the run and
Dinwiddie Court House, where he was to support Gregg. Maj.-
Gen. A. A. Humphreys, commanding the and corps, was ordered to
sieze and hold the crossings of Hatcher's run on the Vaughan
road and at Armstrong's mill, about a mile and a half farther
west.
Mott's division took possession of the Vaughan road after a
slight skirmish, and Smyth's took position at Armstrong's. Lee
had gained information of the movement against his right and
had sent part of Hill's and Gordon's corps to protect the
Boydton road. These forces had thrown up a line of works near
the Thompson house, and Smyth's center was directly opposite
these new works, which were only about half a mile distant.
Communication was opened with Warren and Humphrey brought up
Ramsey's brigade of Miles' division to fill the gap between
Smyth and Mott's advance brigade (McAllister's), in
order to be prepared for an attack should one be made. The
enemy had a battery in position to enfilade the road leading to
Armstrong's mill, and about 4 p. m. it opened fire, but
receiving no reply the firing soon ceased.
A little after 5 o'clock a heavy column of infantry advanced
under cover of a heavy artillery fire against Smyth's right,
and at the same time another column emerged from the woods near
the Thompson house, evidently with a view of attacking Smyth in
flank and rear. This column was promptly met by McAllister and
Ramsey and driven back to the intrenchments. This timely
action enabled Smyth to repulse the attack in his front, though
the enemy's artillery kept up the fire until about 7 o'clock,
but without doing any serious damage.
In the meantime Gregg had captured a few wagons and prisoners,
but had discovered that the Boydton road was used but little in
the transportation of supplies. He was therefore ordered to
the Vaughan road crossing, and Warren was also directed to move
his command to the same point. Gen. Meade, upon learning that
the enemy was in force along Hatcher's run, ordered Hartranft's
division of the 9th corps and Wheaton's of the 6th to report to
Humphreys.
Both divisions arrived during the night of the 5th and were
placed on the right of the 2nd corps. About 1 p. m. on the 6th
Warren sent Crawford's division on a reconnaissance on the
Dabney Mill road, his left supported by Ayres' division and
Gregg's cavalry. Gregg was furiously attacked by part of
Pegram's division, but Griffin, who had been held in reserve,
came to the assistance of the cavalry and the enemy was driven
back.
Crawford encountered the remainder of Pegram's command and
forced it back to Dabney's mill, where the enemy was reinforced
by part of Gordon's corps, which threatened to turn Crawford's
left. Ayres hurried two of his brigades to Crawford's support,
but the Confederates were further reinforced by Mahone's
division and their whole line advanced, forcing Warren back
rapidly and in some confusion but with small loss.
As the line fell back it came upon Wheaton's division of the
6th corps, advancing in line of battle, the retreat was
checked, the line reformed and the enemy forced to retire to
his works. About 10 a. m. on the 7th Crawford moved out from
the right of the 5th corps near Armstrong's mill and attacked
the enemy, Baxter's brigade driving the pickets from the
intrenched line where they had been found the preceding day.
Two brigades of Wheaton's division were then sent forward to
protect Crawford's flanks and at 6 p. m. he again attacked,
drove the Confederates back to their line near Dabney's mill,
and regained a good portion of the field from which the Union
troops had been driven the day before, after which the Federal
intrenchments were extended to the crossing of the Vaughan road
over Hatcher's run.
The Union loss in the several actions was 171 killed, 1,181
wounded and 187 missing. Exact figures of the enemy's losses
are hard to obtain, but it was estimated about the same, Gen.
Pegram being among the killed.
[Source: The Union Army, vol. 5]
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