Peninsula Campaign of 1862
The 91茄子鈥檚 map of the Peninsula Campaign of 1862
From April 4 to June 1, 1862, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan鈥檚 Army of the Potomac moved up the Virginia peninsula between the York and James Rivers toward Richmond. After the fall of Portsmouth and the scuttling of the ironclad CSS Virginia May 10-11, the Union navy could safely advance up the rivers and protect McClellan鈥檚 flanks. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the army defending the Confederate capital, attacked McClellan on June 1 at Seven Pines (also known as Fair Oaks), but was severely wounded. His replacement, Gen. Robert E. Lee, launched the Seven Days battles later in June that ultimately pushed McClellan鈥檚 army back from Richmond.
Learn More: The Peninsula Campaign