Peninsula Campaign

By Brandon MountsPeriod 1

Summary of Battle The Peninsula Campaign of 1862 was probably the single most ambitious Union

operation of the American Civil War. In order to outflank strong Confederate defences in northern Virginia, an army over 100,000 men strong would be transported by sea to the Peninsula between the James and York Rivers, to the east of the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Having bypassed those defences, the army, under General George B. McClellan, would be able to advance quickly against Richmond, without having to face an entrenched opponent.

The failure of the Peninsula Campaign was one of the most controversial episodes of the civil war. McClellan moved slowly, was held up by small Confederate forces, and despite reaching within a few miles of Richmond never made a serious assault on the Confederate capitol. McClellan blamed sinister forces in Washington for failing to provide him with enough men or support, despite actually outnumbering his opponents for the entire campaign.

On the Confederate side, the Peninsula Campaign saw the emergence of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee as commanders of great stature and ability. Richmond had looked about to fall, before Jackson and Lee combined to push them away.

Conclusion Union Casualties: 15,000 Confederate Casualties: 19,000 McClellan takes to long with his plan to

take Richmond and even though the Union had suffered less casualties, they retreated back to Washington

Resources http://

www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_peninsular1862.html#conc

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