Gaines' Mill - June 27, 1862 - 2:30 to 3:30pm

American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862, from 2:30 to 3:30pm

The earliest Confederate attacks at Gaines’ Mill were by fresh troops from Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill’s division, who had not participated in the attacks the day before along Beaver Dam Creek. The North Carolina brigade of Brig. Gen. Lawrence O’Bryan Branch struck the Federal position near its center, where the V Corps brigade of Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin held the line. The Yankees held the high open ground south of the creek, and the wooded ground in their front is locally known as Griffin’s Woods. Georgia and Tennessee regiments under Brig. Gens. J. R. Anderson and James Archer also advanced through the woods. Infantry and artillery fire from Griffin’s regiments and batteries, as well as the thick vegetation and swamps of Boatswain’s Creek, prevented the Southerners from gaining any ground. Later in the afternoon, Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s division attacked over the same terrain. 

Learn More: Battle of Gaines’ Mill