June 1, 1862---The Battle of Seven Pines: Day Two

JUNE 1, 1862:             

 The Battle of Seven Pines (The Battle of Fair Oaks) (Day Two): General G.W. Smith C.S.A. continued to throw troops against the Union lines which had been receiving continuous reinforcement throughout the night. The Confederates made no headway, and when Union forces counterattacked, the Confederates retreated.

Although McClellan took direct command at this point, and although he was within church bell range of Richmond, he did not order his men to pursue the fleeing Confederates. 

34,000 Union troops took part in the battle; there were 5,031 total Union casualties (790 killed, 3,594 wounded, and 647 captured or missing). 39,000 Confederate troops took part in the battle (one of the few times the South had a numerical advantage in battle). There were 6,134 total casualties on the Confederate side: 980 killed, 4,749 wounded, and 405 captured or missing.

By far the most important development to come out of the Battle of Seven Pines was Johnston’s being rendered hors de combat. Smith allowed himself to be driven off by the Yankees, and he was relieved of command almost immediately. His replacement as Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia was Robert E. Lee.

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. 

May 30, 1862---Querulous Halleck quails at Quaker guns

MAY 30, 1862:            

After being delayed for a day by the fear of Quaker guns, General Henry W. Halleck U.S.A. takes Corinth, Mississippi, and finds that P.G.T. Beauregard has policed up the entire city---not one bloody bandage has been left behind. The Siege of Corinth is over.

May 29, 1862---Beauregard abandons Corinth

MAY 29. 1862:            

General P.G.T. Beauregard C.S.A. withdraws his sick, exhausted and dispirited troops from Corinth, Mississippi.

May 28, 1862---McClellan demands more men

MAY 28, 1862:           

General George B. McClellan begins complaining when General McDowell’s troops are detached from his Peninsular Campaign force: "It is the policy and duty of the Government to send me by water all the well-drilled troops available."

President Lincoln wires an angry General McClellan in response: "I shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to all points."  The President's frustration then boiled over and he added, "and last I must be the Judge as to the duty of the government in this respect." Upon reflection Lincoln crossed out the last line. It was never sent.