Seven Days Battles - Gaines's Mill
Posted by: 
archway
N 37° 34.445 W 077° 17.448
18S E 297702 N 4161027
Confederate victory at this key battle forced the Union Army to retreat south to the James River.
Waymark Code: WM7W9X
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 12/12/2009
Views: 8
Gen. George B. McClellan's Peninsula campaign ended at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, also called the First Battle of Cold Harbor (the second, bloody battle took place in the same area in 1864). A rare, coordinated Confederate attack forced the Union to give up its advance to Richmond and retreat to the James. Three more battles would take place as the Union retreated, but the Confederate Army couldn't organize
the final, devastating blow that Gen. Robert E. Lee desired.
Along the slopes of Boatswain Creek, facing north and west, extended Porter's position in the afternoon of June 27, 1862. The line was held by Sykes's division facing north, and Morell's facing west. Later McCall was thrown in to assist Morell. At dark Lee broke the Union line, and Porter retreated across the Chickahominy.