The battle referred to as the “battle of Darbytown” was a significant engagement that took place on July 28, 1864, during the American Civil War. The battle occurred in the vicinity of New Market and Malvern Hill, near Darby Town, Virginia, and was part of a larger operation in which Union General Winfield Scott Hancock was to make a demonstration north of the James River, with the cavalry corps providing support.

After crossing the Appomattox at Broadway Landing on the afternoon of July 26, the cavalry corps moved north and crossed the James River at Deep Bottom early the following morning. The Union forces engaged the Confederate army in the area over the next two days, with the battle on July 28 being particularly intense.

The battle of Darbytown on July 28 was marked by considerable severity and was similar in some respects to the two-day battle at Cold Harbor. While the outcome of the battle was inconclusive, the Union forces were able to penetrate the Confederate lines and disrupt their positions.

The battle of Darbytown was significant in that it marked the first major engagement between the Union and Confederate armies in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, which would continue for several more months. While the battle did not result in a decisive victory for either side, it demonstrated the determination and fighting prowess of both armies and set the stage for further battles to come.