7 Days Battle (Mechanicsville, Gaine's Mill, Frayser's Farm, Malvern Hill) Virginia - June 25 - July 1, 1862

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7 Days Battle Historian Page On June 25, 1862 the city of Richmond, Virginia would so rudely be awaken to the great battle ahead With the Federal troops (Union/North) heading towards the city, the people of Richmond feared the destruction of the southern capital. The newly appointed Confederate General Robert E. Lee, knew he had to stop the Unions advance so he decided to send a mass counterattack to prevent the Union from gaining more ground. He sent most of his men straight forward through the small town of Mechanicsville. Yet, a problem arose in Lee's plan. One of his battalions, which was suppose to attack from the side was six hours behind. So, they waited until five when the battalion was suppose to get there, even with them being behind schedule. Even with fighting as hard as the could the southern troops couldn't win because the Union troops were dug in deep. It seemed that they couldn't push the Federals back, but luck would have it that McClellan hardly took the offensive and with Lee pushing hard McClellan withdrew his troops. On July, 27 Jackson finally showed and with his help the Confederate troops win the battle against the Union troops at Gaines Mill. By June, 29 Lee is chasing after McClellan and ends up a Savage Station. Many little battles take place which starts to upset Magruder because Jackson hasn't shown up again. We Jackson there it would have end quick. So Magruder pulls back for another failed attempt to take out the Union. On June 30, Lee made a plan to attack using all of his men. It started to seem like they were going to defeat the Union when McClellan is able to withdraw his entire army because of the lack of help from Jackson again. Jackson didn't do what he was told and instead fell asleep. By July 1, the seventh day of fighting, the Union troops had given up their advancement upon the Southern Capital of Richmond, even with winning every battle, but one. McClellan's lack of making the first move caused him to lose the battle as a whole. Even with being newly appointed to the guardianship of Richmond and having fewer troops and firepower then General McClellan, General Lee had won, starting his great campaign against the Union.   General Lee was consider a hero for many. He was born in Virginia as one of the four sons of the legendary Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee. Robert was accept to the United States Military Academy and was 2nd of his class. Yet, he was known for not having any demerits as a cadet, which even to today hasn't been equaled. Lee was later asked to be one of Lincoln's Generals, but declined the offer. He then, offered his services to President Davis (leader of the south). Lee became a great general and beat everyone Lincoln had sent until Grant came along that is. General McClellan was a former railroad chief. He had a great gift for military, but lacked offensive action. McClellan was appointed general in 1861 and help reorganized the army into an efficient force. He also helped to keep Kentucky in the Union and fight off the Confederates in West Virginia. Later McClellan failed to destroy Robert E. Lee's army in Antietam and was removed from command by Lincoln. In 1864 McClellan ran against Lincoln as President, but lost. In 1862 the United States was in the midst of a Civil War. England was worried about the possibility of an invasion of the North American colonies(Lower Canada, Upper Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) by the US and so began to reinforce her military and naval presence there. The Illustrated London News (ILN)started off in January with the death of Prince Albert and then went on to the Exposition and finished the year with the marriage of Princess Alice. They started with the American Civil War, the Trent Affair, reinforcing Canada, depression in Manchester due to the lack of cotton and finished the year with the American Civil War. There were floods in California, volcanoes, small battles in various parts of the world and new ships a plenty being made. In Australia, Britain annexes Fiji and in South America the Paraguayan war takes place.

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