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Battle of Seven Pines
In spring 1862, Union Gen. George B. McClellan devised a plan to take Richmond, the Confederate capital. By May, McClellan had pushed Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's forces to the city outskirts. The Union troops outnumbered the Confederates by 40,000 men.
As McClellan pushed forward, the Chickahominy River divided his army, giving Johnston an opportunity to strike. The Confederates attacked on May 31, 1862, but a complex battle plan and poor coordination resulted in a five-hour delay. Still, the Confederates drove Union forces back. The timely arrival of Union reinforcements prevented further Confederate gains.
The next day, June 1, the battle renewed but neither side made headway. By mid-afternoon it was over. The Union Army lost approximately 5,000 men, the Confederates 6,200. |