The Bloody Ravine

— 1862 Peninsula Campaign —

A critical part of the Battle of Williamsburg took place here on May 5, 1862. Union troops occupied the ridge to your right across present-day U.S. Route 60. The Confederate line of redoubts stood to your left on the ridge to the west. Felled timber on the ridge created clear fields of fire for the Confederates, and the intertwined branches (called abatis) obstructed the Federal attack. The railroad did not then exist, and this area was heavily wooded.

The battle began when Union Gen. George B.McClellan's Army of the Potomac encountered the rear guard of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army retreating up the Peninsula toward Richmond. The Confederates intended to fight a delaying action, but it soon escalated into a major engagement. By 8 A.M., Union Gen. Joseph Hooker's attack on Fort Magruder had spread to this position, and intense fighting against Confederate Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox's brigade occurred in this valley, which was later called the "bloody ravine."

By midday, Confederate field commander Gen. James Longstreet had committed the reserves. Virginia regiments under Gens. A.P. Hill and George Pickett advanced from Redoubts 2, 3, and 4, near the modern hotels directly in front of you and forced the Federals back to where you are standing. At 3 P.M., Union Gen. Philip Kearny arrived with reinforcements and the battle ended with both sides in approximately their original positions. The Confederates abandoned their redoubts that night and continued their withdrawal toward Richmond. McClellan wired Washington, "The victory is complete," but Johnston later retorted, "Had the enemy beaten us on the fifth ? our army would have lost most of its baggage and artillery."

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Show me all markers in:  Williamsburg, VA  |  23185  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Magruder's Defenses
Battle of Williamsburg
Peninsula Campaign
Quarterpath Road
The Battle of Williamsburg
History of Fort Magruder
Fort Magruder
Fort Magruder
Vineyard Tract
Williamsburg in the Civil War

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