The Battle of Gaines’ Mill

Although victorious at Beaver Dam Creek on June 26, 1862, Union General George B. McClellan believed Stonewall Jackson’s 25,000 Confederates threatened the Union right flank. On the morning of June 27, McClellan ordered Fitz John Porter’s Fifth Corps to retire from its position behind Beaver Dam Creek toward the Chickahominy and continue with the rest of the Union army to the James River, a decision that ended offensive operations against Richmond and surrendered the initiative to Robert E. Lee. By mid-morning, Porter’s soldiers had reached this plateau, where they faced west and north along a two mile front on high ground overlooking Boatswain’s Creek, shielding the army’s retreat already underway on the other side of the Chickahominy River. Lee’s assault against this line began about 2:00 pm, and some of the heaviest fighting of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill took place here.

Virginia · United States