Editing Siege of Petersburg (section)

==Engagements north of James River==

===New Market Heights (September 29–30)===
{{Further|Battle of Chaffin's Farm}}

During the night of September 28–29, Butler's Army of the James crossed the James River to assault the Richmond defenses north of the river. The columns attacked at dawn. After initial Union successes at New Market Heights and Fort Harrison, the Confederates rallied and contained the breakthrough. Lee reinforced his lines north of the James and, on September 30, he counterattacked unsuccessfully. The Federals entrenched, and the Confederates erected a new line of works cutting off the captured forts. As Grant anticipated, Lee shifted troops to meet the threat against Richmond, weakening his lines at Petersburg.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va075.htm NPS, Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514213535/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va075.htm |date=2009-05-14 }}.</ref>

===Peebles Farm (September 30 – October 2)===
{{Further|Battle of Peebles's Farm}}

In combination with Butler's offensive north of the James River, Grant extended his left flank to cut Confederate lines of communication southwest of Petersburg. Two divisions of the IX corps under Maj. Gen. [[John G. Parke]], two divisions of the V Corps under Warren, and Gregg's cavalry division were assigned to the operation. On September 30, the Federals marched via Poplar Spring Church to reach Squirrel Level and Vaughan Roads. The initial Federal attack overran Fort Archer, flanking the Confederates out of their Squirrel Level Road line. Late afternoon, Confederate reinforcements arrived, slowing the Federal advance. On October 1, the Federals repulsed a Confederate counterattack directed by A.P. Hill. Reinforced by Maj. Gen. [[Gershom Mott]]'s division, the Federals resumed their advance on October 2, captured Fort MacRae (which was lightly defended) and extended their left flank to the vicinity of Peebles' and Pegram's Farms. With these limited successes, Meade suspended the offensive. A new line was entrenched from the Federal works on Weldon Railroad to Pegram's Farm.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va074.htm NPS, Peebles Farm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514213627/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va074.htm |date=2009-05-14 }}.</ref>

===Darbytown and New Market roads (October 7)===
{{Further|Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads}}

Responding to the loss of Fort Harrison and the increasing Federal threat against Richmond, Gen. Robert E. Lee directed an offensive against the Union far right flank on October 7. After routing the Federal cavalry from their position covering Darbytown Road, Field's and Hoke's divisions assaulted the main Union defensive line along New Market Road and were repulsed. The Federals were not dislodged, and Lee withdrew into the Richmond defenses.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va077.htm NPS, Darbytown and New Market Roads] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514213205/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va077.htm |date=2009-05-14 }}.</ref>

===Darbytown Road (October 13)===
{{Further|Battle of Darbytown Road}}

On October 13, Union forces advanced to find and feel the new Confederate defensive line in front of Richmond. While mostly a battle of skirmishers, a Federal brigade assaulted fortifications north of Darbytown Road and was repulsed with heavy casualties. The Federals retired to their entrenched lines along New Market Road.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va077.htm NPS, Darbytown Road] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514213205/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va077.htm |date=2009-05-14 }}.</ref>

===Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road (October 27–28)===
{{Further|Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road}}

In combination with movements against the Boydton Plank Road at Petersburg, Benjamin Butler attacked the Richmond defenses along Darbytown Road with the X Corps. The XVIII Corps marched north to Fair Oaks where it was repulsed by Field's Confederate division. Confederate forces counterattacked, taking some 600 prisoners. The Richmond defenses remained intact.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va080.htm NPS, Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514212600/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/va080.htm |date=2009-05-14 }}.</ref>