General Grant moved his forces over the James River to attack the Southern exposure of Richmond, Virginia’s defenses held by seasoned Texans and other Confederate forces. The first attack failed and a second attack was slow in forming.

Grant pushed forward and finally forced the defenders to retreat. General Lee’s army counter-attacked and a new line of Confederate defenses were formed.

The black regiments of the Eighteen Corps played a major role in this battle. They charged into cannon fire and intense musketry, losing a third of the force to enemy fire. In the midst of the second charge, Private James Gardiner rushed forward alone and bayoneted a rebel officer who was rallying his men.

Major-General Butler ordered this statement be made to the men of the Army of the James:

Private James Gardiner, Company I, Thirty-sixth U.S. Colored Troops, rushed in advance of his brigade, shot at a rebel officer, who was on the parapet cheering his men, and then ran him through with his bayonet. He will have a sergeant's warrant and a medal for gallant daring.

Gardiner received a promotion the day following the battle and his medal was forwarded from the Secretary of War on April 6, 1865.