Category: Before the Seven Days (Campaign Series)

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 9

    Moving Franklin The fall of Yorktown gave McClellan the opportunity to initiate another portion of his overall strategy. BG William B. Franklin’s division, which had been disembarked were reloaded onto the boats for a cruise up the York River to West Point. This move was originally planned for the beginning of the campaign but McClellan […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 8

    Early’s Attack Crushed COL D. K. McRae, commanding the 5th North Carolina, almost instantly understood the difficulties that were incumbent in the order to attack. The forward movement became entangled “in a dense undergrowth” and had to traverse a “marshy ravine”. After losing contact with the elements on both sides he moved his men as […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 7

    Attack Continued The entry of Pickett’s men into the battle renewed the Confederate assault. The 18th Virginia and the 19th Virginia replaced the 10th Alabama and 19th Mississippi. These two regiments retired to reorganize and resupply. The 28th Virginia formed a reserve as the assault continued with fresh troops. The Confederate attack ran directly into […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 6

    The Battle of Williamsburg Begins As the Union cavalry retired the infantry columns of BG H ooker and BG Smith closed on Fort Magruder from two directions. Smith’s column approached on the Yorktown Road and arrived to support the Union troopers at 1730. Operations in the area were placed under the command of BG Edwin […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 5

    Stuart Escapes a Trap The Confederate cavalry protecting the rear of Johnston’s retreat consisted of the 4th Virginia, 3rd Virginia, and the Jeff Davis Legion. They had the massive responsibility to guard the three major approaches to Williamsburg. The separated command of BG Emory (3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry and a horse battery), managed to avoid the […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 4

    Battle at Lee’s Mill (Dam No. 1) The tedious pace of the siege preparations was broken on April 16th when McClellan ordered BG William F. Smith to seize a foothold at Dam No. 1 to prevent further strengthening of the Confederate works there. Confederate BG Howell Cobb was improving his position there with three regiments […]

  • Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 3

    Hancock’s Reconnaissance Contact with Magruder’s line of defenders brought the Union advance to a complete stop. Operating under an inflated view of the Confederate strength and unwilling to walk into a poor tactical situation the Federals drew up a line and considered their options. On the 6th BG William F, Smith ordered BG Winfield Scott […]