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Williamsburg Print E-mail
Other Name: Fort Magruder
State: Virginia
Location: York County and Williamsburg
Campaign: Peninsula Campaign (March-September 1862)
Dates: May 5, 1862
Principal Commanders: union  Union States: Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan
confederate  Confederate States: Maj. Gen. James Longstreet
Forces Engaged: 72,591 total
union  Union States:img src='media/sm_confederate.gif' alt='confederate'>  Confederate States: 40,768
31,823
Estimated Casualties: union  Union States: 2,283
confederate  Confederate States: 1,560
Total: 3,843 total
Results: Result(s): Inconclusive
Description:

In the first pitched battle of the Peninsula Campaign, nearly 41,000 Federals and 32,000 Confederates were engaged. Following up the Confederate retreat from Yorktown, Hooker’s division encountered the Confederate rearguard near Williamsburg. Hooker assaulted Fort Magruder, an earthen fortification alongside the Williamsburg Road, but was repulsed. Confederate counterattacks, directed by Maj. Gen. James Longstreet, threatened to overwhelm the Union left flank, until Kearny’s division arrived to stabilize the Federal position. Hancock’s brigade then moved to threaten the Confederate left flank, occupying two abandoned redoubts. The Confederates counterattacked unsuccessfully. Hancock’s localized success was not exploited. The Confederate army continued its withdrawal during the night.

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