Posted on Jul 1, 2017
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At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia strikes Union General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac, beginning the Seven Days’ Battles. Although the Confederates sustained heavy losses and did not succeed in decisively defeating the Yankees, the battle had unnerved McClellan. During the next week, Lee drove him from the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, back to his base on the James River.
This was Lee’s first battle as commander of the army. On June 1, 1862, he had replaced Joseph Johnston, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. McClellan’s offensive had stalled just five miles from Richmond, and his army remained there until late June. During that time, General J.E.B. Stuart and his Rebel cavalry made a spectacular ride around McClellan’s force, bringing back information that indicated that McClellan’s right flank was “in the air,” or unprotected by natural barriers. Lee informed his commanders on June 23 of his intention to attack the flank, occupied by Fitz John Porter’s V corps, which was separated from the rest of the Union army by the Chickahominy River. This was a bold move–because it meant leaving a skeleton force to face the rest of McClellan’s army south of the Chickahominy–and an early indication of Lee’s audacious style.
But the attack did not go as planned. McClellan, alerted to the vulnerability of his flanks by Stuart’s ride two weeks prior, had shored up his left, and moved Porter’s men to high ground with a deep creek in front of them. Lee’s plan had called for several smaller forces to overwhelm Porter’s men, but it required precise timing. When the assault came, the coordination did not materialize. A major problem, among others, was General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps, which was slow to move into place. Jackson was just back from his brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, but he showed none of his previous vigor and speed at Mechanicsville.
Lee planned to bring about 55,000 troops against Porter, but the mistakes made by Jackson and others meant there were only about 11,000. Lee lost 1,475 men; Union losses were only 361. But Lee had stunned McClellan, who then began to fall back away from Richmond. Lee continued to hammer on McClellan for the next week, and the Yankees retreated to the James River. McClellan did not threaten Richmond again, and he eventually sailed his army back to Washington, D.C.
This was Lee’s first battle as commander of the army. On June 1, 1862, he had replaced Joseph Johnston, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. McClellan’s offensive had stalled just five miles from Richmond, and his army remained there until late June. During that time, General J.E.B. Stuart and his Rebel cavalry made a spectacular ride around McClellan’s force, bringing back information that indicated that McClellan’s right flank was “in the air,” or unprotected by natural barriers. Lee informed his commanders on June 23 of his intention to attack the flank, occupied by Fitz John Porter’s V corps, which was separated from the rest of the Union army by the Chickahominy River. This was a bold move–because it meant leaving a skeleton force to face the rest of McClellan’s army south of the Chickahominy–and an early indication of Lee’s audacious style.
But the attack did not go as planned. McClellan, alerted to the vulnerability of his flanks by Stuart’s ride two weeks prior, had shored up his left, and moved Porter’s men to high ground with a deep creek in front of them. Lee’s plan had called for several smaller forces to overwhelm Porter’s men, but it required precise timing. When the assault came, the coordination did not materialize. A major problem, among others, was General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps, which was slow to move into place. Jackson was just back from his brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, but he showed none of his previous vigor and speed at Mechanicsville.
Lee planned to bring about 55,000 troops against Porter, but the mistakes made by Jackson and others meant there were only about 11,000. Lee lost 1,475 men; Union losses were only 361. But Lee had stunned McClellan, who then began to fall back away from Richmond. Lee continued to hammer on McClellan for the next week, and the Yankees retreated to the James River. McClellan did not threaten Richmond again, and he eventually sailed his army back to Washington, D.C.
Rebels strike Union at the Battle of Mechanicsville - Jun 26, 1862 - HISTORY.com
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Thank for reminding us TSgt Joe C. that on June 26, 1862 that the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia occurred in the Seven Days’ Battles in Virginia. Shortly after Joseph Johnston was severely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Robert E. Lee was selected as the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. This battle was an example where the south was not at is best. New commander Lee, tired forces of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps and other factors cause the south to lose this tactical battle - however Lee and Jackson learned their mistakes and as history records they did very well against the Army of the Potomac of the next two years [with some exceptions such as Gettysburg]
Images: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek map; 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam -sketch made a few years after the battle depicts the Confederate attack led by Stonewall Jackson's men; 1862 05 through 07 Seven Days Battles Map; Firing from behind well-prepared earthworks, 1862-06-26 McClellan's men destroyed confederate attacks at Beaver's dam Creek with rifled weapons that had a range of 500 yards
"Background
In May 1862, McClellan had cautiously maneuvered the Army of the Potomac up the Peninsula—his critics suggested his pace was glacial—taking a month to overcome Confederates at Yorktown (April 5–May 4) and winning another victory at Williamsburg on May 5. Soon he was on the outskirts of Richmond, his forces outnumbering the capital's beleaguered defenders; victory seemed imminent. While a Confederate attack at Seven Pines failed to secure any tactical gains, it wounded Joseph Johnston sufficiently that he was forced to hand his command over to Robert E. Lee, who before then was known largely for having lost western Virginia to McClellan. While the Union general continued to plod along, Lee sought to seize the initiative.
Lee decided to advance on McClellan's right wing, which lay north of the Chickahominy River. By launching an attack there, he could push east and attempt to cut Union troops off from their supply depot at White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. A reconnaissance by the flamboyant Confederate cavalryman J. E. B. Stuart had revealed that McClellan's flank was "in the air," meaning that it was not anchored on some natural obstacle it could use for defense. Troops under Jackson were to link up with Confederate forces on the Chickahominy River, and then relay word to Confederate general A. P. Hill, who would cross the river, march through Mechanicsville, and attack Union general Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps, positioned behind the waist-deep Beaver Dam Run. Confederate forces under D. H. Hill and James Longstreet would follow him.
The Battle
Lee's intricate plan was immediately thwarted when Jackson's men, fatigued from the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and their recent march to Richmond, failed to arrive on time. At three o'clock in the afternoon, an impatient and impetuous A. P. Hill attacked anyway, but his men were forced to march across an open field and then wade across the creek before attempting to overcome Union infantry supported by artillery on the high ground. Pennsylvanians under Union general John F. Reynolds pushed Hill's troops back.
Jackson's men began to arrive at their designated meeting place, three to four miles from the battlefield, around five o'clock, but instead of joining the fight, Jackson ordered his men to make camp. That left A. P. Hill to attempt another attack at dusk, this time on Porter's left flank, defended by Union general Truman Seymour. Lieutenant John Hinsdale, an aide to Confederate general Dorsey Pender, described the battle: "I never saw such a storm of shot and shells before. Fragments of shells literally hailed around me. I thought my life was worth very little … The noise was deafening." By nine o'clock, fighting had tapered off.
Aftermath
The battle was a defeat for the Confederates, who suffered about 1,400 casualties compared to Union losses that numbered less than half that figure. Still, Lee's aggression—so different from how Joseph Johnston had fought—prompted McClellan to withdraw his army rather than pursue Lee's. Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps was ordered to retreat to Gaines's Mill, where Lee attacked it the next day. Jackson's troops were slow to arrive then, too, but the battle was a Confederate victory. Although the Seven Days' Battles had just begun, McClellan's ambitious campaign against Richmond had already failed.
Time Line
June 18, 1862 - Having cleaned the Shenandoah Valley of Union troops, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson begins the march to Richmond, where his men will reinforce Robert E. Lee outside the city.
June 26, 1862, 2:00–3:00 a.m. - At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate generals D. H. Hill and James Longstreet fall into position behind A. P. Hill's men on the Chickahominy River. They are to await the arrival of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson before attacking Union forces.
June 26, 1862, 3:00 p.m. - At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate general A. P. Hill is ordered to await the arrival of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson before crossing the Chickahominy River and attacking Union forces. When Jackson doesn't show, Hill attacks anyway and is repulsed.
June 26, 1862, 5:00 p.m. - During the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson reaches his designated meeting place but finds no other troops there. Rather than march to the sound of fighting, he orders his men to make camp. A. P. Hill, meanwhile, orders an assault on the Union left.
June 26, 1862, 9:00–10:00 p.m. - Fighting tapers off at the Battle of Mechanicsville. Confederate troops are forced to attack across an open field and then a waist-deep creek, and are pushed back by the Union Fifth Corps under Fitz-John Porter.
June 27, 1862, 1:00 a.m. - Despite his victory at the Battle of Mechanicsville, Union general George B. McClellan decides to withdraw from his strong position along the banks of Beaver Dam Run and fall back toward Gaines's Mill. Robert E. Lee will attack him there later in the day.
https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Mechanicsville_Battle_of
COL Mikel J. Burroughs 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 Caldwell
Images: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek map; 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam -sketch made a few years after the battle depicts the Confederate attack led by Stonewall Jackson's men; 1862 05 through 07 Seven Days Battles Map; Firing from behind well-prepared earthworks, 1862-06-26 McClellan's men destroyed confederate attacks at Beaver's dam Creek with rifled weapons that had a range of 500 yards
"Background
In May 1862, McClellan had cautiously maneuvered the Army of the Potomac up the Peninsula—his critics suggested his pace was glacial—taking a month to overcome Confederates at Yorktown (April 5–May 4) and winning another victory at Williamsburg on May 5. Soon he was on the outskirts of Richmond, his forces outnumbering the capital's beleaguered defenders; victory seemed imminent. While a Confederate attack at Seven Pines failed to secure any tactical gains, it wounded Joseph Johnston sufficiently that he was forced to hand his command over to Robert E. Lee, who before then was known largely for having lost western Virginia to McClellan. While the Union general continued to plod along, Lee sought to seize the initiative.
Lee decided to advance on McClellan's right wing, which lay north of the Chickahominy River. By launching an attack there, he could push east and attempt to cut Union troops off from their supply depot at White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. A reconnaissance by the flamboyant Confederate cavalryman J. E. B. Stuart had revealed that McClellan's flank was "in the air," meaning that it was not anchored on some natural obstacle it could use for defense. Troops under Jackson were to link up with Confederate forces on the Chickahominy River, and then relay word to Confederate general A. P. Hill, who would cross the river, march through Mechanicsville, and attack Union general Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps, positioned behind the waist-deep Beaver Dam Run. Confederate forces under D. H. Hill and James Longstreet would follow him.
The Battle
Lee's intricate plan was immediately thwarted when Jackson's men, fatigued from the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and their recent march to Richmond, failed to arrive on time. At three o'clock in the afternoon, an impatient and impetuous A. P. Hill attacked anyway, but his men were forced to march across an open field and then wade across the creek before attempting to overcome Union infantry supported by artillery on the high ground. Pennsylvanians under Union general John F. Reynolds pushed Hill's troops back.
Jackson's men began to arrive at their designated meeting place, three to four miles from the battlefield, around five o'clock, but instead of joining the fight, Jackson ordered his men to make camp. That left A. P. Hill to attempt another attack at dusk, this time on Porter's left flank, defended by Union general Truman Seymour. Lieutenant John Hinsdale, an aide to Confederate general Dorsey Pender, described the battle: "I never saw such a storm of shot and shells before. Fragments of shells literally hailed around me. I thought my life was worth very little … The noise was deafening." By nine o'clock, fighting had tapered off.
Aftermath
The battle was a defeat for the Confederates, who suffered about 1,400 casualties compared to Union losses that numbered less than half that figure. Still, Lee's aggression—so different from how Joseph Johnston had fought—prompted McClellan to withdraw his army rather than pursue Lee's. Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps was ordered to retreat to Gaines's Mill, where Lee attacked it the next day. Jackson's troops were slow to arrive then, too, but the battle was a Confederate victory. Although the Seven Days' Battles had just begun, McClellan's ambitious campaign against Richmond had already failed.
Time Line
June 18, 1862 - Having cleaned the Shenandoah Valley of Union troops, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson begins the march to Richmond, where his men will reinforce Robert E. Lee outside the city.
June 26, 1862, 2:00–3:00 a.m. - At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate generals D. H. Hill and James Longstreet fall into position behind A. P. Hill's men on the Chickahominy River. They are to await the arrival of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson before attacking Union forces.
June 26, 1862, 3:00 p.m. - At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate general A. P. Hill is ordered to await the arrival of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson before crossing the Chickahominy River and attacking Union forces. When Jackson doesn't show, Hill attacks anyway and is repulsed.
June 26, 1862, 5:00 p.m. - During the Battle of Mechanicsville, Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson reaches his designated meeting place but finds no other troops there. Rather than march to the sound of fighting, he orders his men to make camp. A. P. Hill, meanwhile, orders an assault on the Union left.
June 26, 1862, 9:00–10:00 p.m. - Fighting tapers off at the Battle of Mechanicsville. Confederate troops are forced to attack across an open field and then a waist-deep creek, and are pushed back by the Union Fifth Corps under Fitz-John Porter.
June 27, 1862, 1:00 a.m. - Despite his victory at the Battle of Mechanicsville, Union general George B. McClellan decides to withdraw from his strong position along the banks of Beaver Dam Run and fall back toward Gaines's Mill. Robert E. Lee will attack him there later in the day.
https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Mechanicsville_Battle_of
COL Mikel J. Burroughs 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 Caldwell
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