The Battle of Williamsburg
Posted by: Markerman62
N 37° 15.850 W 076° 40.724
18S E 351145 N 4125498
A marker depicting the events of the Battle of Williamsburg.
Waymark Code: WM12YYJ
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2020
Views: 1
The Battle of Williamsburg, fought on 5 May 1862, was the first major engagement of the Peninsula Campaign. Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, slowly advancing from Hampton Roads toward Richmond, encountered the rear guard of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s westward-moving army near here. Confederates under Maj. Gen. James Longstreet delayed the Union advance in a fierce, daylong battle in a driving rain. Nearly 41,000 Federals and 32,000 Confederates were engaged, with about 4,000 casualties. The result was a draw, although both sides claimed victory. The next day, the Confederates continued marching toward Richmond and Union troops occupied Williamsburg.
Department of Historic Resources, 2015
Marker Number: W 43
Marker Title: The Battle of Williamsburg
Marker Location: On US 60 at 5th Ave in Williamsburg
County or Independent City: James City
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: Department of Historic Resources
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