Battle of Williamsburg

Hampton Roads - Yorktown - Williamsburg - Elthams Landing - Drewry Bluff - Hanover Courthouse - Seven Pines - Oak Grove - Beaver Dam Creek - Gaines ' Mill - Garnett's & Golding's Farm - Savage ' Station - White Oak Swamp - Glendale - Malvern Hill

The Battle of Williamsburg ( also: Battle of Fort Magruder ) was a battle of the American Civil War, which was fought at Williamsburg, Virginia on May 5, 1862.

At the battle 40,000 Union soldiers and 31,000 Confederate soldiers were involved. After the retreat of the Confederate Yorktown Unions Division of Joseph Hooker met at Williamsburg on the rear. Hooker ordered the attack on Fort Magruder, a Erdbefestigung along the road to Williamsburg, but was repulsed. There were counter-attacks of the Confederates under the command of James Longstreet, threatened the left flank of the Union troops, but could the position of the Yankees with the arrival of the Division of Philip Kearny be stabilized. The Union Brigade of Winfield S. Hancock attacked then the left flank of the Confederates to whom this could not oppose much, but this was local success of the Union unused. During the night the Confederates evaded in a generally westerly direction.

Aftermath

The press of the Northern States put the battle as a victory for the Union dar. McClellan estimated it incorrectly as a " brilliant victory" over a superior force one. However, the defense of Williamsburg was seen by the Confederacy as a means to stop the Potomac Army, so that the Northern Virginia Army was able to escape in the direction of Richmond.