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We shall meanly lose or nobly save the last hope of earth. -- Abraham Lincoln |
Yorktown, 1862(242 total words in this text)(2122 Reads)  Other Names: None Location: York County and Newport News Campaign: Peninsula Campaign (March-September 1862) Date(s): April 5-May 4, 1862 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan [US]; Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder and Gen. Joseph E. Johnston [CS] Forces Engaged: Armies Estimated Casualties: 320 total Description: Marching from Fort Monroe, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan?s army encountered Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder?s small Confederate army at Yorktown behind the Warwick River. Magruder?s theatrics convinced the Federals that his works were strongly held. McClellan suspended the march up the Peninsula toward Richmond, ordered the construction of siege fortifications, and brought his heavy siege guns to the front. In the meantime, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston brought reinforcements for Magruder. On 16 April, Union forces probed a weakness in the Confederate line at Lee?s Mill or Dam No. 1, resulting in about 309 casualties. Failure to exploit the initial success of this attack, however, held up McClellan for two additional weeks, while he tried to convince his navy to maneuver the Confederates? big guns at Yorktown and Gloucester Point and ascend the York River to West Point thus outflanking the Warwick Line. McClellan planned for a massive bombardment to begin at dawn on May 4, but the Confederate army slipped away in the night toward Williamsburg. Result(s): Inconclusive |
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This Day in History
1862:
Admiral David Farragut captures New Orleans a day after his fleet successfully sailed past two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River.
1864: For the second time in a week, a Confederate force captures a Union wagon train trying to supply the Federal force at Camden, Arkansas. 1898: The United States declares war on Spain. 1915: Australian and New Zealand troops land at Gallipoli in Turkey. 1945: Eight Russian armies completely encircle Berlin, linking up with the U.S. First Army patrol, first on the western bank of the Elbe, then later at Torgau. Germany is, for all intents and purposes, Allied territory. 1952: After a three day fight against Chinese Communist Forces, the Gloucestershire Regiment is annihilated on "Gloucester Hill," in Korea. 1972: Hanois 320th Division drives 5,000 South Vietnamese troops into retreat and traps about 2,500 others in a border outpost northwest of Kontum in the Central Highlands. |
