Posted on Jun 30, 2017
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On this day, Confederate General Robert E. Lee meets with his corps commanders to plot an attack on General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. Launched on June 26, the attack would break the stalemate of the Peninsular campaign in Virginia and trigger the Seven Days’ Battles.
McClellan had spent two months shipping his army down the Chesapeake to the James Peninsula for a run at the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Despite having a larger number of troops, McClellan moved slowly and timidly, and his advance stalled on June 1, less than 10 miles from Richmond. For the next three weeks, McClellan’s and Lee’s armies faced off, but little fighting occurred.
Now Lee sought to seize the initiative. He summoned his generals for a council on June 23. Included in the meeting was General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, fresh off his highly successful Shenandoah Valley campaign. Jackson was traveling ahead of his army, which was still marching back from western Virginia.
Lee announced to his commanders that the time had come to attack the Yankee invaders. Lee planned an assault on the Union right flank, which was separated from the rest of the Yankee army by the Chickahominy River. Plans were made for the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, on June 26, and Jackson rode back to his troops. The stage was set for the Seven Days’ Battles.
McClellan had spent two months shipping his army down the Chesapeake to the James Peninsula for a run at the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Despite having a larger number of troops, McClellan moved slowly and timidly, and his advance stalled on June 1, less than 10 miles from Richmond. For the next three weeks, McClellan’s and Lee’s armies faced off, but little fighting occurred.
Now Lee sought to seize the initiative. He summoned his generals for a council on June 23. Included in the meeting was General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, fresh off his highly successful Shenandoah Valley campaign. Jackson was traveling ahead of his army, which was still marching back from western Virginia.
Lee announced to his commanders that the time had come to attack the Yankee invaders. Lee planned an assault on the Union right flank, which was separated from the rest of the Yankee army by the Chickahominy River. Plans were made for the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, on June 26, and Jackson rode back to his troops. The stage was set for the Seven Days’ Battles.
Lee confers with his generals before the Seven Days’ Battles - Jun 23, 1862 - HISTORY.com
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Thanks for reminding us TSgt Joe C. that on June 23, 1862 Confederate General Robert E. Lee met with his corps commanders James Longstreet and Thomas Jackson. They were planning an attack the Army of the Potomac under George McClellan.
As is typical in the fog of war, the Confederate generals planned for the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia and the Battle of Beaver Creek, Virginia was the one that was fought just east of Mechanicsville. That battle was a Union Tactical victory; but, it was a Confederate Strategic victory.
On the morning of June 26th, Lee took the initiative and began his offensive against McClellan’s army by attacking Porter's isolated men. Brig. Gen. A.P. Hill threw his division, reinforced by Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill’s division, into a series of assaults against the Fifth Corps right flank. Maj. Gen. James Longstreet's division attacked Porter's left.
Union Tactical victory: Confederate attacks gained little ground and were driven back with heavy casualties. Jackson’s men from the valley, behind schedule but moving into position from the northwest, forced Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Swamp just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
Strategic Confederate Victory: The action at Beaver Dam Creek was the second of the Seven Days battles that would end McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.
The Confederates were determined to protect their capital of Richmond while the capable but too careful Union Commander George B McClellan was not one to gamble strategically.
Images: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Creek, Virginia Map
What do you think? LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio MSG Andrew WhiteCpl Joshua CaldwellSGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
As is typical in the fog of war, the Confederate generals planned for the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia and the Battle of Beaver Creek, Virginia was the one that was fought just east of Mechanicsville. That battle was a Union Tactical victory; but, it was a Confederate Strategic victory.
On the morning of June 26th, Lee took the initiative and began his offensive against McClellan’s army by attacking Porter's isolated men. Brig. Gen. A.P. Hill threw his division, reinforced by Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill’s division, into a series of assaults against the Fifth Corps right flank. Maj. Gen. James Longstreet's division attacked Porter's left.
Union Tactical victory: Confederate attacks gained little ground and were driven back with heavy casualties. Jackson’s men from the valley, behind schedule but moving into position from the northwest, forced Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Swamp just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
Strategic Confederate Victory: The action at Beaver Dam Creek was the second of the Seven Days battles that would end McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.
The Confederates were determined to protect their capital of Richmond while the capable but too careful Union Commander George B McClellan was not one to gamble strategically.
Images: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Creek, Virginia Map
What do you think? LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio MSG Andrew WhiteCpl Joshua CaldwellSGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
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SP5 Robert Ruck
Thanks for a military history lesson on the Seven Days Battle. There were several instances when McClellan's hesitations cost the Union forces dearly. I can't help but hypothesize how much sooner the war may have ended had there been a more aggressive Union commander in charge.
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