In May 1864 the 27th SC with the rest of Hagoods Brigade transfered up into Virginia. They reenforced Gen Beuregards small force attempting to protect the area from Union General Butlers Army of the James threatening Richmond/Petersburg, in what is known as the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. They fought in a series of actions between Richmond and Petersburg... Swift Creek aka: Arrowfield Church, Port Walthal, Clays Farm, and Drewrys Bluff... Once the action shifted slightly south with the target of Petersburg, they participated in its defense. This was just before Grant and Lee shifted the bulk of their forces there also.
On June 24th 1864 in the early phases of what became better known as the Siege of Petersburg.... Confederates sent a strong skirmish line advanced toward the Federal position just east of Petersburg near the river. What was intended to be just a recon to check the strength of the enemy soon became a general engagement. Unfortunately some of the confederate units ordered to participate failed to do so, which left those that did unsupported. The Federal line was found to be quite strong at that point and the attack was a miserable failure. Gen Lee himself was reported to have watched the affair and was not pleased.
Hagoods Brigade was in the middle of the fray and many of its troops were killed, wounded and/or captured. Some trapped close to the Federal line were given opportunity to surrender, most finally did, rather than attempt to make it back under such heavy fire.
Those taken prisoner were held for a couple days at the Federal base at Bermunda Hundred, then taken to City Point. Then transported via ship to Ft.Monroe (Camp Hamilton).. then taken to Point Lookout Prison Camp... Few weeks later most were transfered again up to Elmira.....
I grew up in the area they fought in south of Richmond... so know the region well... I also had an ancestor in the 27th SC that was wounded and captured in the same engagement on June 24th... Mine got as far as Ft.Monroe and died of his wounds there on July 5th... Unfortunately the engagement never earned a battle name of any sorts... even on some of the Federal flag battle credits they just have it as "June 24 64 - P'burg"....
Frederick