Category: Dan O’Connell’s Campaign Series
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 14
The Grapevine Bridge Many thousands of engineer projects were accomplished during the Civil War. Structures of all types, bridges, roads, and fortifications were constructed in every theater but none can claim the importance of the Grapevine Bridge. While other projects were used to initiate action (Fredericksburg, Chattanooga…), to besiege the enemy (Vicksburg, Petersburg,…), to move […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 13
Hill’s Attack MG D. H. Hill’s independent decision to begin the attack started in ragged fashion. The hasty nature of the order left the brigades scrambling to get into battles order. BG Samuel Garland’s brigade (5th NC, 23rd NC, 24th VA, 38th VA, 2nd FL, and 2nd MS Bn) advanced with the 2nd Mississippi Battalion […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 12
Setting the Stage for Battle The net result of the Battle of Hanover Court House was a change to the strategy of the campaign. McClellan noted that the “enemy was not in great force opposite Bottom’s Bridge” and that “it was important to secure a lodgment upon the right bank before he should have time […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 11
At the River The reconnaissance of the new Confederate line made it obvious that further movement toward Richmond would depend on successfully negotiating the obstacle presented by the Chickahominy. On May 20th BG John Banard, Chief Engineer for the Army of the Potomac, was ordered to conduct a personal reconnaissance of the area around Bottom’s […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 10
Drewry’s Bluff – The Navy Enters the Fray The failure of the initiative on the York River left McClellan looking for alternatives. An initial call by the general for the Navy to move up the James River on May 4th went unheeded. When the C.S.S. Virginia was scuttled following the fall of Norfolk on 11 […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 9
Moving Franklin The fall of Yorktown gave McClellan the opportunity to initiate another portion of his overall strategy. BG William B. Franklin’s division, which had been disembarked were reloaded onto the boats for a cruise up the York River to West Point. This move was originally planned for the beginning of the campaign but McClellan […]
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Before the Seven Days – Advance to the Chickahominy Part 8
Early’s Attack Crushed COL D. K. McRae, commanding the 5th North Carolina, almost instantly understood the difficulties that were incumbent in the order to attack. The forward movement became entangled “in a dense undergrowth” and had to traverse a “marshy ravine”. After losing contact with the elements on both sides he moved his men as […]