It forced the Confederates to carry their supplies 30 miles (48 km) by wagon to bypass the new Union lines that were extended farther to the south and west.

[4] In August, the II Corps operated north of Petersburg, threatening Richmond and its railroads in the Second Battle of Deep Bottom.

[5] In preparing his attack, Grant was encouraged by a message he received August 17 from President Abraham Lincoln: I have seen your despatch expressing your unwillingness to break your hold where you are.

"[6] At dawn on August 18, Warren advanced to the south through rain and over muddy roads, pushing aside Confederate pickets and a cavalry brigade, and reached the railroad at Globe Tavern around 9 a.m. Parts of the division under Brigadier General Charles Griffin began to destroy the track while a brigade from Brigadier General Romeyn B. Ayres's division formed in line of battle and moved north to block any Confederate advance from that direction.

[8] Lieutenant William Taylor is recognized in his Medal of Honor citation for undertaking a hazardous reconnaissance during the night, beyond the army's lines of entrenchment, during which he was captured and taken prisoner by Confederate forces.

While Mahone attacked the Union right, Heth launched a frontal assault against the center and left, which was easily repulsed by Ayres's division.

[9] Heavy rains prevented any significant fighting on August 20 and on the night of August 20–21, Warren pulled his troops back two miles (3 km) to a new line of fortifications, which were connected with the main Union lines on the Jerusalem Plank Road (present-day U.S. Route 301, Crater Road).

Fair weather returned on the morning of August 21 and the Confederates attacked beginning at 9:00 a.m., with Mahone striking the Federal left and Heth the center.

Both attacks were unsuccessful against the strong entrenchments and resulted in heavy losses, particularly in the brigade of Brigadier General Johnson Hagood.

"[12] Grant was not entirely satisfied with Warren's victory, which he rightly characterized as wholly defensive in nature: It seems to me that when the enemy comes out of his works and attacks and is repulsed he ought to be followed vigorously to the last minute with every man.