Butler's plan was formulated on the afternoon of June 8, calling for three columns to cross the Appomattox and advance with 4,500 men. The first and second consisted of infantry from Gillmore's X Corps and USCTs from Hinks's 3rd Division of XVIII Corps, which was to attack the Dimmock line east of the city. The third was 1,300 cavalrymen under Kautz, who were to sweep around Petersburg and strike it from the southeast. The troops moved out on the night of June 8, but made poor progress. Eventually the infantry crossed by 3:40 a.m. on June 9 and by 7 a.m., both Gillmore and Hinks had encountered the enemy, but stopped at their fronts. Gillmore told Hinks that he would attack but that both of the infantry columns should await the cavalry assault from the south.Davis, pp. 27–31; Kennedy, p. 352; Salmon, p. 401.
Butler's plan was formulated on the afternoon of June 8, calling for three columns to cross the Appomattox and advance with 4,500 men. The first and second consisted of infantry from Gillmore's X Corps and USCTs from Hinks's 3rd Division of XVIII Corps, which was to attack the Dimmock line east of the city. The third was 1,300 cavalrymen under Kautz, who were to sweep around Petersburg and strike it from the southeast. The troops moved out on the night of June 8, but made poor progress. Eventually the infantry crossed by 3:40 a.m on June 9 and by 7 a.m., both Gillmore and Hinks had encountered the enemy, but stopped at their fronts. Gillmore told Hinks that he would attack but that both of the infantry columns should await the cavalry assault from the south.Davis, pp. 27–31; Kennedy, p 352; Salmon, p. 401.