Peninsula Campaign Battles of the Civil War

Peninsula Campaign Battles - Page 3

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Garnett’s & Golding’s Farms (June 27-28, 1862)

Taking place in Henrico County, Virginia Major General George B. McClellan and Major General John B. Magruder continued the Seven Days Battles. While battle raged north of the Chickahominy River at Gaines’ Mill on June 27, Magruder demonstrated against the Union line south of the river at Garnett’s Farm. To escape an artillery crossfire, the Federal defenders from Major General Samuel P. Heintzelman’s III Corps refused their line along the river. The Confederates attacked again near Golding’s Farm on the morning of June 28th but were easily repulsed. These "fixing” actions heightened the fear in the Union high command that an all out attack would be launched against them south of the river. An estimated 830 total lives were lost in the skirmish.

Savage’s Station (June 29, 1862)

Also taking place in Henrico County, Virginia, the Savage Station battle was yet another in the Seven Days’ Battles. On June 29, the main body of the Union army began a general withdrawal toward the James River.

Major General George B. McClellan.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Confederate Major General John Magruder pursued along the railroad and the Williamsburg Road and struck Major General Edwin Sumner Corps (the Union rearguard) with three brigades near Savage’s Station. Confederate Brigadier General Richard Giffith was mortally wounded during the fight. Jackson's divisions were stalled north of the Chickahominy. Union forces continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital. When the smoke cleared some 4,700 men were dead and the 2,500 federal wounded were captured.

Savage Station was General George B. McClellan

headquarters camp.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

White Oak Swamp (June 30, 1862)

The following day, also in Henrico County, the White Oak Swamp battle took place between Union Major General William Franklin and Confederate Major General Thomas J. Jackson's forces. The Union rearguard under Major General William Franklin stopped Jackson’s divisions at the White Oak Bridge crossing, resulting in an artillery duel, while the main battle raged two miles farther south at Glendale or Frayser’s Farm. White Oak Swamp can be considered part of the Glendale engagement. In the end, 500 men were dead.

White Oak Swamp.

Glendale (June 30, 1862)

Known by several names including Nelson’s Farm, Frayser’s Farm, Charles City Crossroads, White Oak Swamp, New Market Road, Riddell's Shop, this skirmish occurred on the same date as the White Oak conflict, also in Henrico County. On June 30, Huger’s, Longstreet’s, and A.P. Hill’s divisions converged on the retreating Union army in the vicinity of Glendale or Frayser’s Farm. Longstreet’s and Hill’s attacks penetrated the Union defense near Willis Church, routing McCall’s division. McCall was captured. Union counterattacks by Hooker’s and Kearny’s divisions sealed the break and saved their line of retreat along the Willis Church Road. Huger’s advance was stopped on the Charles City Road. "Stonewall” Jackson’s divisions were delayed by Franklin at White Oak Swamp.

Confederate Major General T.H. Holmes made a feeble attempt to turn the Union left flank at Turkey Bridge but was driven back by Federal gunboats in James River. Union generals Meade and Sumner and Confederate generals Anderson, Pender, and Featherston were wounded. This was Lee’s best chance to cut off the Union army from the James River. That night, McClellan established a strong position on Malvern Hill. Totals loss was an estimated 6,500.

Additional Information:

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

Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862)

The last of the Seven Days' Battles, this encounter is sometimes referred to as Poindexter’s Farm. On July 1, 1862, General Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable Union position on Malvern Hill. The Confederates suffered more than 5,300 casualties without gaining an inch of ground. Despite his victory, McClellan withdrew to entrench at Harrison’s Landing on James River, where his army was protected by gunboats. This ended the Peninsula Campaign. When McClellan’s army ceased to threaten Richmond, Lee sent Jackson to operate against Major General John Pope’s army along the Rapidan River, thus initiating the Northern Virginia Campaign. The Union victory resulted in a loss of 8,500 lives.

The Battle of Malvern Hill.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Additional Information:

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

Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated March, 2010.

Civil War battle.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Battle summary information is courtesy the American Battlefield Protection Program. Summaries were researched and written by Dale E. Floyd and David W. Lowe, staff members of the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission and historians with the National Park Service.

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