noon
before
Nevertheless the Confederates held their ground all the afternoon and until eleven o'clock at night , when the assault ceased . At midnight Beauregard withdrew his troops from the defenses that they were too few to hold , and set them to work to throw up fresh intrenchments on a shorter line behind . All night the men worked with their bayonets , canteens , and any tools that came to hand . It was well for them that the enemy were so exhausted that it was noon before they were ready to advance again , for by this time help was at hand . Anderson , who had succeeded to the command of Longstreet 's corps , and was leading the van of Lee 's army , forced his way through Butler 's troops and drove him back into the Bermuda Hundred , and leaving one brigade to watch him marched with another into Petersburg just as the attack was recommenced . Thus reinforced Beauregard successfully defeated all the assaults of the enemy until night fell . Another Federal army corps came up before morning , and the assault was again renewed , but the defenders , who had strengthened their defenses during the night , drove their assailants back with terrible loss .