(front)
Remembers the valor and devotion of
its soldiers who participated in the battle
of Gaines' Mill, Virginia - June 27, 1862
Here, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee
continued his attacks against Union Maj.
Gen. George B. McClellan's Army of the
Potomac which was attempting to capture
Richmond. From June 25 - July 1, Lee and
McClellan fought a series of engagements
known as the Seven Days Battles, this being
the 3rd in that series. On June 27,
McClellan's V Corps under Brig. Gen. Fitz
John Porter held a strong defensive
position behind Boatswain's Creek on
Turkey Hill. Lee ordered an all-out
Assault, perhaps the largest he ever
Achieved. Hoping to send nearly 60,000
men across a two-mile front. For over five
hours, Porter's men repulsed Lee's
attacks. Near sundown, Lee sent forward
Brig Gen. W.H.C. Whiting's Division,
composed of Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood's
Texas Brigade and Col. Evander Law's
Brigade. On this ground, Hood personally
led the 4th Texas and spearheaded the
attack. They were closely supported by
the 18th Georgia. Hood's bayonet assault
broke the Union line driving Porter's
men from their breastworks on the high
ground. The other regiments of Hood's
Brigade emerged from the woods, and Union
resistance collapsed. Porter's Corps
retreated across the Chickahominy River,
giving Lee the first victory of his career as
a general. Unnerved by the defeat,
McClellan now focused on saving his army
as Lee continued his attacks through July 1.
The Texas units, together with the
Georgians and South Carolinians in the
brigade, had played decisive roles in
achieving McClellan's defeat and saving
the Confederate capital from capture.
Erected by the State of Texas 2012 (back)"The men who carried this position
were soldiers indeed!"
Maj. Gen. T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson
In tribute to the Texas Brigade
at Gaines' Mill - June 27, 1862
Texas Brigade units engaged in
the Battle of Gaines' Mill, Va.
Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood's Brigade
1st Texas
Volunteer Infantry Regiment
4th Texas
Volunteer Infantry Regiment
5th Texas
Volunteer Infantry Regiment
18th Georgia
Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Hampton's Legion, South Carolina
8 Infantry Companies
Texas units formed the major
portion of Hood's Brigade, thus it
was commonly known as the Texas
Brigade, but the 18th Georgia,
Hampton's Legion, and later
the 3rd Arkansas were integral
parts of the brigade.
Texas remembers and honors her
sons and those of her sister states
who fought with them.
They sleep the sleep of the brave.
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