The Battle of
Mechanicsville, June 26 & 27, 1862
Map by [HWK]Stu
What had started 25 days earlier in the bloody conflict at Seven Pines/Fair
Oaks was coming to a head by the latter part of June 1862. Newly appointed
General of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee, faced a growing Union force that threatened to put
the Confederate capital of Richmond under siege. Meanwhile, the Union army under General George
McClellan had forces massing near the Chickahominy River at the small
town of Mechanicsville and
nearby Beaver Dam Creek.
McClellan was within 15 miles of the Confederate capital,
but also 15 miles from the strongest concentration of Lee�s forces. About
60,000 men surrounded Richmond,
compared to Union forces of just 35,000. Lee ordered an attack of the Federal
forces by men under Generals Longstreet, A.P. Hill, Jackson and D.H. Hill to start early the morning of June 26. After delays,
A.P. Hill�s corps met divisions under U.S. General Fitz John Porter at
Mechanicsville at 3 p.m. They
were joined by D.H. Hill and Longstreet late in the day.
At 9 p.m. the battle that had begun tentatively ended with
what both sides agreed were heavy losses for the Confederate side. Although the
US kept most of its ground and
lost less than 400 men to the CSA�s 1483, McClellan ordered his forces to fall
back to nearby Gaines� Mill, which was deemed easier to defend. The following
day the battle reformed near Gaines� Mill. The Seven Days Campaign was underway
and would end up being an unfortunate seven days for both sides. The combat
through marshland and forest at Gaines� Mill gave the Confederates heavy losses
and started the pattern of retreat for the Union that wouldn�t stop until they were 20 miles from where they
started.
The Map
The
Union army (blue) sits snug atop a long ridge behind the Chickahominy River awaiting the impending attack of Lee�s rebel
forces (red). Just like in the historical battle, the Confederates have a
slight numerical advantage but also, just like in history, they stand to lose a
lot more men against such a strong position. The Confederates must attack here
but there are no map rules or objectives. �Union engineers have already set
charges at both major bridges which they control (circled yellow). Engineers in
game may not build any more charges. No up-grades allowed. �
�