Peninsula Campaign Battles of the Civil War

Peninsula Campaign Battles

Sometimes referred to as the Slash Church Battle, this confrontation took place in Hanover County, Virginia on May 27, 1862. On that day, elements of Brigadier General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps extended north to protect the right flank of McClellan’s Union army that now straddled the Chickahominy River. Porter’s objective was to cut the railroad and to open the Telegraph Road for Union reinforcements under Major General Irvin McDowell that were marching south from Fredericksburg. Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, attempting to prevent this maneuver, were defeated just south of Hanover Courthouse after a stiff fight. The Union victory was moot, however, for McDowell’s reinforcements were recalled to Fredericksburg upon word of Banks’s rout at First Winchester. In the end some 1,327 were dead, included 397 Union men and 930 Confederate.

Union General Fitz John Porter.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Seven Pines (May 31-June 1, 1862)

Also called Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, the encounter occurred in Henrico County, Virginia on May 31 and June 1, 1862. On May 31, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston attempted to overwhelm two Federal corps, under the command of Major General George B. McClellan, that appeared isolated south of the Chickahominy River. The Confederate assaults, though not well coordinated, succeeded in driving back the IV Corps and inflicting heavy casualties. Reinforcements arrived, and both sides fed more and more troops into the action. Supported by the III Corps and Sedgwick’s division of Sumner’s II Corps (that crossed the rain-swollen river on Grapevine Bridge), the Federal position was finally stabilized. General Johnston was seriously wounded during the action, and command of the Confederate army devolved temporarily to Major General G.W. Smith. On June 1, the Confederates renewed their assaults against the Federals who had brought up more reinforcements but made little headway. Both sides claimed victory. Confederate brigadier Robert H. Hatton was killed. Of the approximate 84,000 men engaged, the Union lost approximately 5,738 and the Confederate, 7,997.

Seven Pines battle field.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Seven Days' Battles

Oak Grove (June 25, 1862)

Also known as the battle of French’s Field or King’s School House, this event also took place in Henrico County. The first of the Seven Days’ battles began on June 25th when Major General George B. McClellan advanced his lines along the Williamsburg Road with the objective of bringing Richmond within range of his siege guns. Union forces attacked over swampy ground with inconclusive results, and darkness halted the fighting. McClellan’s attack was not strong enough to derail the Confederate offensive, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, that already had been set in motion. The next day, Lee seized the initiative by attacking at Beaver Dam Creek north of the Chickahominy. In the end 516 federal soldiers lost their lives as well as 541 Confederates.

Additional Information:

Richmond National Battlefield Park
3215 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
804-226-1981 ext. 23

Beaver Dam Creek (June 26, 1862 )

Ellerson's Mill at Mechanicsville, Virginia.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Also referred to as Mechanicsville and Ellerson’s Mill, this second of the Seven Days’ Battles took place in Hanover County, Virginia on June 26, 1862. General Robert E. Lee initiated his offensive against McClellan’s right flank north of the Chickahominy River. A.P. Hill threw his division, reinforced by one of D.H. Hill’s brigades, into a series of futile assaults against Brigadier General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps, which was drawn up behind Beaver Dam Creek. Confederate attacks were driven back with heavy casualties. Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley divisions, however, were approaching from the northwest, forcing Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Creek just beyond Gaines’ Mill. With almost 32,000 troops engaged, the battle resulted in a Union victory, with a loss of 400 federal men and 1,300 Confederates.

Additional Information:

Richmond National Battlefield Park
3215 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
804-226-1981 ext. 23

Gaines’ Mill (June 27, 1862)

Also called the First Battle of Cold Harbor, this Confederate Victory was the third of the Seven Days’ Battles. General Robert E. Lee renewed his attacks against Brigadier General Fitz John Porter's V Corps, which had established a strong defensive line behind Boatswain’s Swamp north of the Chickahominy River. Porter’s reinforced V Corps held fast for the afternoon against disjointed Confederate attacks, inflicting heavy casualties. At dusk, the Confederates finally mounted a coordinated assault that broke Porter’s line and drove his soldiers back toward the river. The Federals retreated across the river during the night. Defeat at Gaines’ Mill convinced McClellan to abandon his advance on Richmond and begin the retreat to James River. Gaines’ Mill saved Richmond for the Confederacy in 1862. This large battle encompassed more than 90,000 troops, of which 6,800 Union and 8.700 Confederates lost their lives.

The Gaines' Mill Battle Field is littered with the

skeletons of the dead.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Additional Information:

Richmond National Battlefield Park
3215 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
804-226-1981 ext. 23

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