McClellan and the Peninsula Campaign A Civil War Portrait
The piece traces General McClellan from his 1861 rise as “Young Napoleon” through warnings of risk to Washington, detailing the Peninsula move toward Richmond, Centreville and Manassas, and the political pressure over troops as Lincoln pressed for action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Punch
North
Godree Brinton McClellan
Army of the Potomac
United States
McClellan
Philadelphia
West Point
Engineer Corps
Regular Army
M’clellan
Washington
Oregon
Crimea
Europe
Ohio and Mississippi Railroad
Cincinnati
Ohio
United States Army
Department of the Ohio
West Virginia
Army of the
Napoleon
McClellan Rebuilds Army of the Potomac After Bull Run
The article details McClellan taking command at Washington to restore fighting condition after Bull Run. It notes lack of organized engineering support and transport, his efforts to recruit from Bull Run stragglers, and his fortification of Washington. It cites praise from authorities and his memoirs about long days and power felt in the land.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Army of the Potomac
Washington
McClellan
Bull Run
Europe
Barnard
Quartermaster’s Department
Peninsula
Gen. Scott
Centreville
Virginia
Pellmel
Beauregard
Joseph E. Johnston
Munson’s Hill
Peninsula and Peninsula Campaign Rival Plans in Civil War
The article describes the Virginia Peninsula between the James and York rivers as McClellan’s theater and outlines the strategic split between Lincoln’s plan to strike Centreville and McClellan’s to advance via the Chesapeake to Richmond. It notes rival authorities, Stanton’s rise, and McClellan’s growing friction with Washington, including General War Order No. 8 and the move down the Chesapeake.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Centreville
Lein
Washington
Joseph FB. Johnston
Rappahannock
Richmond
Chesapeake
McClellan
Peninsula
York
James Rivers
Army of the Potomac
Fortress Monroe
Potomac
Chesapeake Bay
Virginia
James
York Rivers
Chicahominy
Casey
Federal
Lincoln
McCiellan
Committee of Congress
Ben Wade
Ohio
Edwin M. Stanton
Congressional Committee
Stanton
Peninsula Campaign Chronicle of McClellan and Magruder
The article outlines McClellan’s Peninsula campaign from Fort Monroe toward Richmond, noting clashes at Yorktown and Williamsburg, Magruder’s fortifications on the Warwick and Yorktown lines, the role of Keyes Heintzelman and Sumner, the delaying swamp, and Hancock’s decisive bayonet charge at Williamsburg. It details delays, reinforcements, and McClellan’s later reflections, plus Dan Webster the horse’s fame.
Peninsula Campaign Retakes Action Near Williamsburg and Yorktown
McClean occupies Yorktown area and fortifications near Fort Magruder as Stoneman leads cavalry to pursue Johnston. Hooker and Smith push from Williamsburg toward Richmond amid mud and command gaps, while Union stress grows with reinforcements from McDowell and Shenandoah scare shaping May 1862 operations.
Hanover Court House Battle and Bridge Destruction
In May 1862 at Hanover Court House Fitz John Porter led 12 000 troops against 12 000 Confederate forces including Anderson and Branch brigades and Suart cavalry. The Union victory routed the Confederates in heavy rain and bridges over the South Anna and Pamunkey were destroyed to disrupt Confederate movement toward Richmond.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McDowell
Fredericksburg
McClellan
Richmond
Anderson
Branch
Suart
Hanover Court House
South Anna
Virginia
Fitz John Porter
Porter
Lincoln’s Optimistic Note on Virginia Central Route
Fragmentary Civil War bulletin quotes Lincoln informing McClellan that the threat from the Virginia Central Railroad near Richmond and Hanover Junction is negligible without proper reconnaissance. The remark reflects wartime sentiment on supply lines and movement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fredericksburg
Lincoln
McClellan
Virginia Central
Richmond & Flanover Junction
Confederate Move Drives McClellan Toward Richmond
May operations shift as Gen. Huger withdraws 15,000 from Norfolk leaving the James River open to Federal gunboats. McClellan’s corps cross the Chickahominy near Seven Pines while Sumner Franklin and Porter pool at Gaines Mill and White Oak Swamp guards. Davis in Richmond contemplates retreat as Church baptism marks a rare moment of calm amid turbulence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McClean
Yorktown
Stoneman
Johnston
Stuart
Fort Magruder
Hooker
W. F. Smith
Lee’s Mill
Couch
Casey
Kearney
Sumner
Franklin
Fitz John Porter
York River
McClellan
Williamsburg
Smith
Couch’s
Longstreet
Richmond
Heintzelman
Joe Hooker
Cub Dam Creek
Winfield Scott Hancock
Wiliamsburg
York
Eltham
West Point
Washington
Williamburg
White House
Gen. Johnston
United States
Chickahominy River
McDowell
Fredericksburg
Peninsula
Gen. Shields
Banks
Shenandoah Valley
Stonewall Jackson
Potormac
MeDowell
Shenandoah
Norfolk
Huger
James
Chickahbominy
Keyes
Savage Station
White Oak Swamp Bridge
Chickahominy
Gaines’ Mill
Keyes’ Corps
Seven Pines
Mr. Davis
Jeff
St. Paul’s Church
Fair Oaks and Seven Pines Battle Across Chickahominy
May 31 to June 2 describe Johnston’s Confederate attack and Sumner’s Federal counter at Fair Oaks and Seven Pines. The clash involved Couch Casey and Keyes against Longstreet Hill Huger with Smith. Grapevine bridge saved Union troops, heavy casualties reported on both sides, Meagher and Howard among notable wounded.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McClellan
Chickahominy
Johnston
Fair Oaks
Couch
Casey
Seven Pines Tavern
Longstreet
D. H. Hill
Huger
Gustavus W. Smith
Keyes
Heintzelman
Seven Pines
F’eck
Kearney
Sumner
Grapevine
Bottom’s
Summer
Sedgwick
Richardson
G. W. Smith
Gustav
WA. O. Howard
Thomas F. Meagher
Roger A. Pryor
Mahone
United States
Virginia
Lee
Jefferson Davis
Richmond
Pryor
Hooker
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Peninsula
Fair Oaks Battleground
George B. M’clellan
Clellan
Joe Johnston
Capitol
Manassas
Joseph EB. Johnston
Gen. McClellan
The
Gen
Magruder
Richh
James River
United States Navy
Hampton Roads
Fortress
Navy Yard
Gen. Webb
Halfway House
Heintzehuan
Lee’s Mills
Warwick River
Warwick
J. Bankhead Magruder
E. D. Keyes
Dam No
William F. Smith
Vermont
McCall
Gloucester Point
Warwick Line
Port Magruder
Twce
Hancock
Couchan
Dan Webster
Dan
Chickahomin
Battle OF Fair Oaks
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