OCTOBER 7, 1864:
The
Battle of Darbytown and New Market Road (The Battle of Johnson’s Farm and Four
Mile Creek).
In an attempt to dislodge Union troops from the outer ring of
Richmond’s defenses which were captured on September 29, during the Battle of
Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights, Robert E. Lee throws two Divisions
(about 10,000 men) against the Union line. The Federals are initially caught
off guard and are driven from their positions. After rallying, the Union
counterattacks, taking back control of the outer ring. After hard fighting, Lee,
who has lost approximately 1000 men in this engagement, pulls these battered
troops back into Richmond itself to refit. Union losses are about 450 killed,
wounded, and missing.
