Existing comment:
Texas
Remembers the valor and devotion of its soldiers who participated in the battle of Gaines' Mill, Virginia - June 27, 1862.
Here, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee continued his attacks against Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac which was attempting to capture Richmond. From June 25 - July 1, Lee and McClellan fought a series of engagements known as the Seven Days Battles, this being the 3rd in that series. On June 27, McClellan's V Corps under Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter held a strong defensive position behind Boatswain's Creek on Turkey Hill. Lee ordered an all-out assault, perhaps the largest he ever Achieved. Hoping to send nearly 60,000 men across a two-mile front. For over five hours, Porter's men repulsed Lee's attacks. Near sundown, Lee sent forward Brig Gen. W.H.C. Whiting's Division, composed of Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood's Texas Brigade and Col. Evander Law's Brigade. On this ground, Hood personally led the 4th Texas and spearheaded the attack. They were closely supported by the 18th Georgia. Hood's bayonet assault broke the Union line driving Porter's men from their breastworks on the high ground. The other regiments of Hood's Brigade emerged from the woods, and Union resistance collapsed. Porter's Corps retreated across the Chickahominy River, giving Lee the first victory of his career as a general. Unnerved by the defeat, McClellan now focused on saving his army as Lee continued his attacks through July 1. The Texas units, together with the Georgians and South Carolinians in the brigade, had played decisive roles in achieving McClellan's defeat and saving the Confederate capital from capture.
Erected by the State of Texas 2012 |