Seven Pines, VA

Date(s): May 31-June 1, 1862

Campaign(s): Peninsula Campaign [March-September 1862]

Battles in Campaign:

• Hampton Roads, VA - March 8-9, 1862 B

• Yorktown, VA - April 5-May 4, 1862 B

• Williamsburg, VA - May 5, 1862 B

• Eltham's Landing, VA - May 7, 1862 D¹

• Drewry's Bluff, VA - May 15, 1862 B

• Hanover Courthouse, VA - June 30, 1863 C¹

• Seven Pines, VA - May 31-June 1, 1862 B

• Oak Grove, VA - June 25, 1862 D¹

• Beaver Dam Creek, VA - June 26, 1862 B

• Gaines' Mill, VA - June 27, 1862 A

• Garnetts & Goldings Farm, VA - June 27-28, 1862 D¹

• Savage's Station, VA - June 29, 1862 C¹

• White Oak Swamp, VA - June 30, 1862 C¹

• Glendale, VA - June 30, 1862 B

• Malvern Hill, VA - July 1, 1862 A

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan

• Confederate: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith

Principal Forces: (84,000 total)

• Union:

• Confederate:

Description:

• On May 31st, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston attempted to overwhelm two Federal corps that appeared isolated south of the Chickahominy River.

• The Confederate assaults, though not well coordinated, succeeded in driving back the IV Corps and inflicting heavy casualties.

• Reinforcements arrived, and both sides fed more and more troops into the action.

• Supported by the III Corps and Sedgwick’s division of Sumner’s II Corps (that crossed the rain-swollen river on Grapevine Bridge), the Federal position was finally stabilized.

• Gen. Johnston was seriously wounded during the action, and command of the Confederate army devolved temporarily to Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith.

• On June 1st, the Confederates renewed their assaults against the Federals who had brought up more reinforcements but made little headway.

• Both sides claimed victory.  Confederate brigadier Robert H. Hatton was killed.

Slide Presentation: None [Battlefield Lost Integrity]

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 5,739

• Confederate: 7,997

Results: Inconclusive

Battlefield Websites:

• The Peninsula Campaign - HistoryAnimated.com

• The Battles for Richmond, 1862 - National Park Service Civil War Series

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 07/24/2011