The Army of the James Advance on Richmond

The Army of the James Advance on Richmond. . After the battle of Swift Creek, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler abandoned plans to threaten Petersburg and chose to make a demonstration toward Richmond. He withdrew his army from Swift Creek and returned to his lines in Bermuda Hundred., On the morning of May 11, 1864, while the Army of the James was preparing to advance on Richmond, Confederate Commander Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard consolidated his forces at Drewry's Bluff. In a steady rain Confederate forces marched north from Swift Creek and reached the Drewry's Bluff fortifications that evening. Beauregard left skirmishers at Redwater Creek and Proctor's Creek to guard the approach to Drewry's Bluff., On the morning of May 12 the Army of the James began to advance. The divisions of Brooks and Turner led, followed by the divisions of Weitzel and Terry. Ames' division marched to Port Walthall Junction as the rear guard., Skirmish at Redwater Creek , At Redwater Creek on May 13th, the Federals made contact with Confederate skirmishers. The Federals stopped and adjusted their line to close a gap between themselves and the James River., Skirmish at Proctor's Creek , The Federals continued their advance in a heavy rain until reaching Proctor's Creek where they encountered the 18th Virginia Infantry supported by one batter of the Washington Artillery. Gen. William F. Smith ordered a halt and conducted a reconnaissance of the Confederate position. On the morning of May 13, the Federals attacked across Proctor's Creek and found that the Confederates had retired in the night back to Drewry's Bluff., Battle of Wooldridge Hill The Army of the James reached the outer line of the Confederate fortifications at Drewry's Bluff at 4pm on May 13th. These works were occupied by the brigades of Hagood, Johnson, Clingman, Corse and Ransom. Unwilling to attack such a strong position head on, Butler sent Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore with Terry's division west on a flanking march to Chesterfield Courthouse and then back east to strike the Confederates from the rear at Wooldridge Hill. The 55th PA and 4th N.H. moved up the railroad toward Wooldridge Hill., Ransom was forced to give up his position and fell back to the Inner Line of the Drewry's Bluff fortifications., The Army of the James now faced the well defended Inner Line at Drewry's Bluff. The stage was set for the largest battle of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, The Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff.