FROM GEN. M’CLELLAN’S ARMY: A Highly Important Advantage Gained; More Splendid Fighting by Gen. Hooker’s Division (6/26/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/26/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

REDOUBT NO. 3, Wednesday, June 25 -- 1:30 P.M.

Hon. E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

We have advanced our pickets on the left considerably, to-day, under sharp resistance. Our men have behaved very handsomely. Some firing still continues. (Signed,) GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General Commanding.

REDOUBT No. 3, Wednesday, June 25 -- 3:15 P.M. Hon. E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

The enemy are making desperate resistance to the advance of our picket lines. KEARNEY, and one-half of HOOKER's are where I want them. I have this moment reinforced HOOKER's right with a brigade and a couple of guns, and hope in a few minutes to finish the work intended for to-day. Our men are behaving splendidly. The enemy are fighting well also. This is not a battle, merely an affair of HEINTZELMAN's Corps, supported by KEYES, and thus far all goes well, and we hold every foot we have gained. If we succeed in what we have undertaken, it will be a very important advantage gained. Loss not large thus far. The fighting up to this time has been done by Gen. HOOKER's Division, which has behaved as usual, that is, most handsomely. On our right, Porter has silenced the enemy's batteries in his front.

G.B. McCLELLAN, Major-Gen. Commanding.

REDOUBT No. 3, Wednesday, June 25 -- 5 P.M. Hon. E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

The affair is over, and we have gained our point fully, and with but little loss, notwithstanding the strong opposition. Our men have done all that could be desired. The affair was partially decided by two guns that Capt. DUSENBURY brought gallantly into action under very difficult circumstances. The enemy was driven from his camps in front of this, and all is now quiet. (Signed,)

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4073866/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Gen. M’Clellan’s Army: A Highly Important Advantage Gained – 2-3
From New-Orleans: The Sugar Trade Reviving – 3-5
The President at West Point: His Trip From Washington to West Point and Return – 5-6
The New Constitution of Illinois – 6
Important from San Francisco: Arizona Occupied by National Forces – 6
News from Washington: The Return of President Lincoln – 6-8
Editorial: In Front of Richmond – 8
The President’s Errand – Popular Excitability – 8-9
Progress of the Union Press – 9
Editorial: Butler and the British Bunsbies – 9
Editorial: The Senate and Senator Simmons – 9
New-Orleans – 9

[FarCenter]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Days_Battles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Oak_Grove

Aftermath

The minor battle was McClellan’s only tactical offensive action against Richmond. His attack gained only 600 yards (550 m) at a cost of over 1,000 casualties on both sides and was not strong enough to derail the offensive planned by Robert E. Lee, which already had been set in motion. The next day, Lee seized the initiative by attacking at Beaver Dam Creek north of the Chickahominy River, near Mechanicsville, the first major battle of the Seven Days, and the beginning of a strategic retreat by the Union Army.

[Conan the Librarian]

Yep, the next 7 days or so of postings will be “different” from what McClellan got before.

At this stage, Pinkerton was right. Lee DID outnumber him on the field around Richmond.