June 15, 1864---The Second Battle of Petersburg (Day One)

JUNE 15, 1864:           

The Second Battle of Petersburg (Day One): 

Ten thousand Union troops under General William F. “Baldy” Smith move against the Confederate defenders of Petersburg. The Confederates have the advantage of formidable physical defenses called the “Dimmock Line,” and they hold off the tepid Union assault of the first day. “Baldy” is convinced that he is facing a force equal to his own. In truth, only 2,300 men are holding the city, all in the fixed forts facing him. Smith squanders a singular offensive opportunity this day by simply not flanking his opponent P.G.T. Beauregard and applying pressure on multiple points at once. When he does move forward on a four mile front, Smith manages to capture fixed Confederate batteries 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Despite the ease of taking these positions, Smith still holds back from a full assault.