This is the story of how Robert E. Lee came to command the Army of Northern Virginia, and then used it to save Richmond while almost crushing McClellan in the Seven Days Battles. It is a story of early war debacles and embarrassments, prudent decision-making behind the scenes that led to Confederate successes, and then immense risk-taking and courage in the face of seemingly certain defeat. It is a tale of Stuart's dashing ride around McClellan, the near-total victory in the Seven Days Battles.
The Seven Days Battles began on June 26 with Mechanicsville, where A.P. Hill attacked too early and was repulsed. Jackson's delayed arrival later forced Porter to withdraw to Gaines' Mill, where Lee concentrated his forces and won a major victory on June 27. McClellan then abandoned his siege and began retreating toward the James River.
Lee pursued, but repeated delays and confusion prevented complete destruction of the Union army at Savage's Station, Glendale, and White Oak Swamp. On July 1 at Malvern Hill, Confederate attacks were shattered by strong Union artillery and naval gunfire. The Union army withdrew again on July 2, ending the Peninsula Campaign and leaving Richmond secure.
The campaign cost heavy casualties on both sides, but Lee's army and reputation were transformed. He had driven McClellan away from Richmond, gained the confidence of his soldiers and the Confederate government, and established the Army of Northern Virginia as his command, one he could use to win the war.
Check out our sponsor, the Classical Society, here, and tell them that Will sent you: https://theclassicalsociety.com/
Get our mug of Gen. Lee here: https://wbsapparel.shop/product/general-lee-coffee-mug/
Sources Referenced in this Episode:
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to support the show at no added cost to yourself, you can do so by using the links below to order and read the sources I used to create this episode. Thanks!
Armes, Ethel, Stratford Hall: The Great House of the Lees, https://amzn.to/4wxAAfl
Burt, Nathaniel, First Families: The Making of an American Aristocracy, https://amzn.to/4r0KLYG
Cole, Ryan, Light-Horse Harry Lee: The Rise and Fall of a Revolutionary Hero, https://amzn.to/4wiZOy3
Connelly, Thomas L., The Marble Man: Robert E. Lee and His Image in American Idea, https://amzn.to/4ywRf4j
Crocker, H. W., III, Robert E. Lee on Leadership: Executive Lessons in Management, https://amzn.to/4gvXpds
Dabney, Virginius, Virginia: The New Dominion, https://amzn.to/46gVW69
Dowdey, Clifford, Lee: A Biography, https://amzn.to/46lDf14
Fleming, Thomas, A Disease in the Public Mind: A New Understanding of Why We Fought the Civil War, https://amzn.to/4yzbiix
Flood, Charles Bracelen, Lee: The Last Years, https://amzn.to/4gDcA4I
Freeman, Douglas Southall, R. E. Lee: A Biography, https://amzn.to/4gkaqrx
Hendrick, Burton J., The Lees of Virginia, https://amzn.to/4xshjNe
Lee, Cazenove Gardner, Jr., Lee Chronicle: Studies of the Early Generations of the Lees, https://amzn.to/4q7GiTI
Longacre, Edward G., Fitz Lee: A Military Biography of Major General Fitzhugh Lee, https://amzn.to/4xkLNAu
Nagel, Paul C., The Lees of Virginia: Seven Generations of an American Family, https://amzn.to/4wUxkfi
Nichols, James L., General Fitzhugh Lee: A Biography, https://amzn.to/4qeURoz
Royster, Charles, Light-Horse Harry Lee and the Legacy of the American Revolution, https://amzn.to/3TKWspX
Sanborn, Margaret, Robert E. Lee: A Portrait, https://amzn.to/3SA6EkN
Thomas, Emory M., Robert E. Lee: A Biography, https://amzn.to/46qVL8c
