Existing comment:
1862: March 17 - July 1:
Peninsula Campaign, Virginia:
By the end of May, after besieging Yorktown, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan had cautiously advanced his Army of the Potomac to the outskirts of Richmond. Confederate action in the Shenandoah Valley, however, prevented reinforcements from reaching McClellan. McClellan's army was attacked at Seven Pines (May 31-June 1) by Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who was seriously wounded. Gen. Robert E. Lee took command of Johnston's army and redesignated it the Army of Northern Virginia. In a series of battles known as the Seven Days (June 25-July 1). Lee drove McClellan from his position east of Richmond and into a fortified camp on the James River. |