Existing comment:
This is the story of a country's coming of age and history forever changed. Right here, in Henrico County, Virginia is where that story begins.
In the early hours of June 1, 1862, General Robert E. Lee took command of the Army of Northern Virginia. General George McClellan's Union front covered a distance of approximately 10 miles, and was now as close as five miles to Richmond no the far right flank.
General Lee and President Davis came across the Dabbs House on their way back from Seven Pines to Richmond. After receiving permission from Mary Catherine Dabbs, Lee set up his headquarters at High Meadows (as Dabbs House was known) to plan the defense of Richmond.
Lee's army of approximately 72,000 faced more than 100,000 Federal troops. Federal entrenchments were considered too strong for a direct assault, so Lee concluded that he would need to turn one of the enemy's flanks. McClellan's troops were spread across the Chickahominy River and the left flank was heavily defended by fortifications and artillery. The Federal right appeared less secure, but Lee needed confirmation that an assault on the right flank was practical.
Lee called on the Confederate Calvary under JEB Stuart to perform the reconnaissance. On June 12, 1,200 cavalry accompanied Stuart on the most famous ride of his career. In 72 hours, Stuart's cavalry rode completely around the Union Army, located their communication lines, and confirmed that their right flank was indeed less fortified and "in the air." Lee instructed Stonewall Jackson to march his Army of the Valley to Richmond and prepare for an attack on the Union Army north of the Chickahominy.
On the night of June 23, Lee called a conference of his top generals at the Dabbs House to present his plans of counterattack against Union forces. Stonewall Jackson rode in before his advancing troops for the meeting. AP Hill, Daniel Harvey (DH) Hill, and James Longstreet were also summoned to the meeting. The generals agreed to the complex plan. McClellan planned to utilize his superior artillery to break through the Richmond defenses, but Lee's plan to strike the Federal Army before it could advance further ultimately prevailed. On June 24 after the Dabbs House conference, Lee issued orders setting in motion the first of the Seven Days battles.
The wounding of General Joseph Johnston at the Battle of Seven Pines gave Confederate President Jefferson Davis cause to place General Robert E. Lee in command of the Army of Northern Virginia. |