APRIL 5, 1862:
The
Battle of Lee’s Mill, Virginia. McClellan’s army strikes at the town of Lee’s
Mill. Confederate resistance is stiff, but almost hopelessly outnumbered.
However, Jeb Magruder, aware of McClellan’s distaste for actual battle,
falsifies reports that he has 40,000 men on the line and that General Johnston
is expected imminently with another 60,000. He allows the couriers with these
reports to be captured.
In truth, only 13,000 Confederates face the
120,000-plus Union troops. Instead of rolling over Magruder’s force, McClellan
calls off the attack and orders his men to besiege Yorktown, a maneuver of
limited military value.
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