Gaines' Mill
Gaines' Mill
Despite his victory over the Confederates at Beaver Dam Creek on June 26th, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s Fifth Corps abandoned its position early on June 27th and established a new defensive line along Boatswain’s Creek, just north of the Chickahominy River. Porter's orders from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan were to hold off Robert E. Lee's army long enough for McClellan to begin moving the Army of the Potomac south towards the James River. Porter, with around 34,000 men, was outnumbered by Lee's nearly 60,000 men with his back to the Chickahominy. The clear, high ground south of Boatswain's Creek around the Watt family farm gave Porter good clear ground to place artillery, and his infantry used the banks of the creek to their advantage. Anxious to renew his assaults from the day before, Lee sent the bulk of his force forward late on the 27th with the intention of driving Porter's men across the river. The Federals beat back successive waves of disjointed attacks, inflicting some of the heaviest casualties the war had yet seen. By dusk, however, Lee’s Confederates were more organized. With daylight fading, the reinforced Southerners assaulted Porter’s entire defensive line and sent the Northerners fleeing toward the Chickahominy. Only darkness saved Porter’s corps from complete disaster. During the night, the Federals limped across the river and burned the bridges behind them. Gaines' Mill was the third in the Seven Days battles and began a series of rearguard actions as McClellan moved his army to the James River.
Battle Facts
Result
Confederate Victory
COMMANDERS
Forces Engaged
91,230
Union
34,212
Confederate
57,018
Total Estimated Casualties
15,500
Union
6,800
Confederate
8,700
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia on June 27,...
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust's map of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia on June 27,...
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust's map of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia on June 27,...
Explore Gaines' Mill
Join t Fight
Donate today to preserve battlefields in America and protect the legacy of our nation’s defining conflicts.
Topics
|
Topic
|
Topic
|
|
|
|
|
Topic
|
Topic
|
|
Topic
|
Topic
|
Related Battles
Civil War
In early April 1862, the Army of the Potomac moved up the Virginia Peninsula in two columns. The...
Civil War
Following the Confederate withdrawal from their Yorktown position, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan...
Civil War
When Virginia seceded in April 1861, many of the vessels, guns and repair facilities of the U. S...
Civil War
Most of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army was not on the peninsula on April 4th when Maj. Gen. George...
50,000
ACRES SAVED
The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 50,000 acres in 24 states!
SEE THE LAND WE'VE SAVED
Shop and Preserve
Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Every purchase supports the mission.
Give with Confidence!
The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education.