Battle of Swift Creek

Other Names: Arrowfield Church

Location: Chesterfield County, Virginia

Campaign: Bermuda Hundred Campaign (May-June 1864)

Date: May 9, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler [US]; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard

Forces Engaged: 5 gunboats, 14,000 [US]; 4,200 [CS]

Casualties and losses: 990 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

On May 9, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler made a thrust toward Petersburg and was met by Bushrod Johnson's Division at Swift Creek. A premature Confederate attack at Arrowfield Church was driven back with heavy losses, but Union forces did not follow up. After skirmishing, Butler seemed content to tear up the railroad tracks and did not press the defenders. In conjunction with the advance to Swift Creek, five Federal gunboats steamed up the Appomattox River to bombard Fort Clifton, while Hincks's U.S. Colored Troops infantry division struggled through marshy ground from the land side. The gunboats were quickly driven off, and the infantry attack was abandoned.