Williamsburg
After the Confederate retreat from Yorktown, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan sent forward his III Corps to pursue the Confederates under Gen Joseph E. Johnston. The Union troops caught up with the Rebels four miles southeast of Williamsburg and attacked on May 5, 1862. Heavy fighting ensued along Johnston’s defenses as both sides brought up reinforcements. The Confederates counterattacked the Union left, while the Federals gained ground on their right. That evening, Johnston pulled back and McClellan followed.
Battle Facts
Result
Inconclusive
COMMANDERS
Forces Engaged
72,591
Union
40,768
Confederate
31,823
Total Estimated Casualties
3,843
Union
2,283
Confederate
1,560
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia on May 5, 1862
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust’s map of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign
Civil War
Animated Map
See the entire Civil War unfold, from Fort Sumter to Appomattox and beyond, on our animated map,...
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 from Fort Monroe in...
Civil War
By early March 1862, the new Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia , formerly the wooden steam frigate...
Civil War
Frustrated in his attempt to outflank the Confederate defenders along the Warwick River at Lee’s...
Civil War
On June 26, 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee initiated an offensive against Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s...
52,000
ACRES SAVED
The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 52,000 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.