May 31, 1862---The Battle of Seven Pines: Day One

MAY 31, 1862:            

The Battle of Seven Pines (The Battle of Fair Oaks) (Day One):  

In an attempt to repulse the Union Army of the Potomac from the outskirts of Richmond, which had been reached after the Battle of Hanover Court House on May 27^th, the Confederates attack Union formations. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's plan ran into trouble from the start. He could not coordinate his command effectively, and his subordinates all had to improvise in the absence of good communications. Thus, the attack was rather haphazard. Finally, the weather contributed to Confederate difficulties, as wet and muddy roads slowed troop movement.

The bulk of McClellan’s army lay north of the Chickahominy River, but two corps lay on the south bank, and it was these Johnston decided to attack.

Fortunately for the Confederates, General McClellan was ill and was running the battle from his sickbed. Thus, orders became scrambled, intelligence and information was ignored or overlooked, and McClellan’s customary hypercaution was at an almost pathological level. Union movements were confused and halting and uncertain.

Despite the only partly organized chaos on the ground, both sides inflicted heavy casualties on each other; both Johnston and McClellan continued to pour reserves into the battle all day. Toward the end of the day Johnston was severely wounded after being struck by both a bullet and shrapnel. He was taken to Richmond for treatment, and his Second-in-Command, G.W. Smith took over command.