ACW: Battle of Gaines' Mill - “Lee’s First Victory'

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Battle Begins 5:08
Aftermath 31:30

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Following the Army of Northern Virginia’s bloody repulse in its first major action of the Civil War at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek or Mechanicsville on Thursday, June 26th, 1862, General Robert E. Lee presses his men forward, undeterred by their setback. The next day, Friday, June 27th, sees the Confederates hurling themselves against the fortified Union positions of Brigadier General Fitz John Porter’s V Corps atop Turkey Hill close to the Chickahominy River in what will become known as the Battle of Gaines’ Mill. In this battle, the Confederates’ mettle and determination will be tested against Union firepower and equally-stubborn resolve. As the day drags on and the bodies pile high, in the end it will come down to who will break off the engagement first. But Lee will organize what will become the largest Confederate attack of the Civil War in one final effort against the Federal lines. Will Porter’s exhausted and weary soldiers of V Corps be able to hold off the gray and butternut tide on the third day of the Seven Days Battles?

More videos on the Seven Days Battles:

Sources:

To the Gates of Richmond: The Peninsula Campaign by Stephen W. Sears

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Civil War

A Bloody Day at Gaines' Mill: The Battlefield Debut of the Army of Northern by Elmer R Woodard

Script Writer - J. Woody

Historical Consultant - Jesse G

Background sounds by Cajun1862

#americancivilwar #sevendaysbattles #peninsulacampaign

[WarhawkYT]

Make sure you like and subscribe to see more animated Civil War battles!

[jackhenderson]

Just want to say as a Englishman how much I appreciate you doing these videos, I know they take a lot of effort and are time consuming so the fact you have continued to do so has meant the world to me. Genuinely appreciate the work you put in mate and have understood the American civil war battles far more clearly on a much more personal level thanks to this channel

[bobbeckman]

Thanks so much. My GGG Grandfather, Frederick Grubbs, fought in the 56th Va infantry and lost an eye there.

[thoughtfulpug]

One hell of a battle. Fitz John Porter deserves respect for his actions in this campaign; one of the best defensive commanders of the Union. Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill, two victorys and a well fought defeat against Lee of all people. If he hadn't been wrongly accused and courtmartialed for the failure of others and his friendship with McClellan, he probably would have given Lee more bloody noses.

[InspiredJJ]

This is historical modern art. The whole channel and video execution.

[shrapnel]

Edwin Porter Alexander's memoirs are a must read. Extremely intelligent and introspective look at every battle he was in and he was not afraid to criticize certain generals. Although Stonewall has an excellent reputation, his performance in The Seven Days battles were substandard. Exhausted mentally and physically from his valley campaign, he was uncharacteristically sluggish and late. Lee was very frustrated with his and other's performance during these running battles. I believe Lee asked way too much of his men and generals, leading to confusing tactical movements and wrong turns. It culminated with a horrendous assault at Malvern Hill. Yes, Lee did drive the Union army back, but at a frightful cost. There was only so many of these bloody assaults the confederates could make.

[zcoosa]

Scott's, Irish, English, Germans on both sides. It definitely made the war that much more bloody. Tough fighters on both sides that have really been hacking away at each other well over a thousand years.

[liverpoolirish]

A correction. McClellan was actually at Porter's HQ when reinforcements were requested. His escort from the 1st NY Cavalry record several trips, and McClellan moving around the field frequently. One of them gives the reason for the delay in sending Slocum - McClellan had left Franklin at GHQ with instructions to be ready to send Slocum over if needed. However, Franklin was so worried about Magruder's attack towards Garnett's Hill that he left GHQ to supervise the fighting. This meant that the order from McClellan (with Porter) to send Slocum over wasn't received. Eventually, McClellan rode back to the Trent House and gave the order personally to Slocum.

[richardjohnson]

Great video. Having grown up in this area of Hanover, in the my younger day (late 50's to early 70's) I've spent many a day just riding around and reading the markers. We hunted relics in the woods and fields in this end of county. In places you could hardly stick a shovel in the ground and not turn up a Minnie Ball or (usually) an Eagle button. They lay on top of the ground after a spring plowing...probably still do, but it's been a long time since I hunted there. My Uncle still lives on the old home place, about a mile from the "Grapevine Bridge" over the Chickhominy.

It is rumored that the desire to know more about the battles led to more than one "midnight history lesson" being conducted by young men and women exploring the parks after dark. I of course know nothing of this. Just rumors you understand. 😇

[ericappleman]

Bro, your maps are getting very good at showing topography. Keep up the great work. Love it that your getting this far into the war and I hope to see you finish this work!

[CivilWarWeekByWeek]

You know you hit it big when Nord is involved

[alancoe]

This was the battle that gave Lee the idea, just over a year later, that Pickett's (Lee's) Charge was a good idea, if properly organized and timed. His next attempt at a grand charge was Malvern Hill. That was a mess. If Kearney had been in Union command, instead of McClellan, Richmond would have fallen in days. But... McClellan.

[canadadelendaest]

'Sykes Regulars' is an Army battalion still in service to this day. 5BN-20 Infantry Regiment (5/20IN) based at Joint Base Lewis McCord! I served with them for 3 years. Pretty neat to see him here.

[robertoamorico]

Warhawk you are a genius, all these battles at regimental level in accurate maps.

[jordan-HwdyH]

My great great grandpa fought here. Part of the 10th Pennsylvania potomac
At the battle of gaines mill June 27th 1862 he had a cousin killed on one side of him and a brother on the other who died in his arms all inside of half an hour. a friendly tin cup in his haversack saved his own life by catching and stopping a rebel bullet. After having been hit 4 times in battle he was really wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg on the 13th of December 1862

[MatthewChenault]

After the Battle of Gaines Mill, the hospitals in Richmond swelled with wounded Confederate and Union Troops. Over the next several months, many of the wounded would die of their wounds or disease instigated from their wounds and would be buried at Oakwood Cemetery.

Some of these men - men fortunate enough to have their final resting places marked - include John T. Young, James Crowder Jones, Albert Polk Brown, John J. Patton, and countless others.

There is also the grave of George Doss who, though his grave isn’t marked today, had his grave feature in one of the iconic photographs of the American Civil War; that of Oakwood Cemetery and the countless rows of graves. George Doss was a member of the 11th Alabama, was wounded at Gaines Mill, and eventually died in one of the hospitals in Richmond.

If people come to visit Richmond, I’d highly recommend visiting Oakwood Cemetery and paying respect these men and others buried there.

[tommymitchell]

Just finished it! Amazing! Gaines Mill is my favorite battle of the Civil War and you did not disappoint here! The topography, regiment dispositions along with the overall view of the battle field was just amazing! Bravo! Great job!

[duanegiesseman]

This is one of the best Historical Battle channel I watch, great job on the videos.

[nicklassalette]

Hey dude. Honestly, from one amateur historian to an accomplished one.. I absolutely love your channel and this resource that you provide is unparalleled. Thank you for everything you do 🙏

[Ksgamer]

Not knowing this battle, I thought the Union was going to win that for sure. Thanks for posting another good one!