Existing comment:
1862 Seven Days' Battles:
No military campaign had more influence on the course of the Civil War than these Seven Days' battles. George B. McClellan's army of more than 100,000 Union soldiers landed at Fort Monroe in spring of 1862, and fought its way up the peninsula. By mid-May the Army of the Potomac lay on the outskirts of Richmond, hoping to capture the capital of the Confederacy and perhaps end the war. If that strategy succeeded the nation might be reunified, but without abolition of slavery. Confederate General Robert E. Lee chose not to wait for the Federal army's next move. Instead he seized the initiative, and on June 26 advanced across the Chickahominy River with nearly 45,000 soldiers. That action opened a week-long series of battles that resulted in the Union army retreating to the banks of the James River. With Richmond secure, Lee's army moved north, defeated Union forces at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas (Bull Run), and then marched toward Maryland and the first invasion of the North.
June 26 -- Beaver Dam Creek:
Lee masses much of his own Confederate army at Chickahominy Bluff and surged over the river in a combined operation with Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Later that afternoon, Lee's men struck a well positioned piece of the Federal army at Beaver Dam Creek> His attack failed, but Jackson's presence above the creek forced McClellan's men away overnight.
June 27 -- Gaines' Mill:
McClellan decided to move to a new base on the James River, but his rearguard at Gaines' Mill barely escaped destruction when Lee's Confederates launched an all-out attack, triggering the second and largest battle of the Seven Days.
June 28 -- Gouldin's Farm:
McClellan organized his retreat and achieved a head start in what would become a race to the James River. Meanwhile, Lee shifted from protecting Richmond to pursuing and defeating the Union army. A Confederate probe at Gouldin's Farm, south of the Chickahominy River, produced a small battle.
June 29 -- Savage's Station:
Lee pushed his men forward against the Union army's rear at Savage's Station, on the Richmond & York Railroad. The inconclusive battle there produced 1,400 casualties and temporarily slowed the progress of McClellan's retreat.
June 30 -- Glendale:
Confederate columns pursued the Union army. A vicious battle at Glendale (or Frayser's Farm) gave Lee his best opportunity of the campaign, but the determined resistance of McClellan's subordinates kept the line of retreat open.
July 1 -- Malvern Hill:
McClellan's army took up a strong defensive position atop Malvern Hill. Poorly coordinated Confederate attacks resulted in a decisive Union victory.
July 2 --
The Confederate pursued the Northern army to its new base at Harrison's Landing. Lee determined no offensive opportunities remained, and ended this campaign to drive his foe away from Richmond, concluding the Seven Days' battles. |