On 27 Oct. 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses Grant ordered an assault here to divert Confederate attention from a Union attack near Petersburg. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler, the Union commander outside Richmond, sought to outflank the Confederates and capture their capital. The Federal X Corps began the attack along Darbytown Road, while the XVIII Corps, delayed by miscommunication, joined later along Williamsburg Road. Union troops also advanced along Nine Mile Road. Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet strengthened his left flank, forcing the Federals to withdraw on 28 Oct. The Union army suffered about 1,600 casualties and the Confederates about 100.