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Why did Union plans for using a peninsula assault on Richmond still persist as late as early 1863?
ChuckSiata
The failure of Union General Ambrose Burnside at Fredericksburg did not change US President Lincoln from believing that the capture of Richmond was key to a quick Union victory. All sorts of plans to do this were debated among Union generals and President Lincoln. The advantage of a peninsula campaign remained despite the first attempt to do this by General George B. McClellan. Using the James River as a means of transportation would bring Union forces to within 20 miles of Richmond without the risk of serious conflict from Southern forces. And, by staying close to the James River, the logistical problem could be solved. The army could unburden itself of carrying along with them all the supplies it would need. Only the artillery would need to be part of the caravan to Richmond. All baggage, provisions and ammunition wagons could be left behind. This approach had the same intended results of all the other plans that were discussed to take down Richmond. This meant that all railways running south from Richmond would be cut. Whether this approach would damage the Army of Northern Virginia remained in doubt as it depended upon what General Lee would do. Richmond however "could not maneuver" itself out of the way of an assault and the fall of Richmond was be the result.
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What was the objective of the Union during the Peninsula campaign?
The Union's objective in the Peninsular Campaign was to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond and end the war. General McClellan had convinced President Lincoln that the plan Lincoln favored would take too long. Using the York and James River peninsula would be a shorter march to Richmond. Unfortunately, for the Union it was a failure. However looking at it from the Confederate point of view, the repulse of the Union army saved Richmond and at the same time brought in Confederate General Robert E. Lee to defend Virginia and Richmond.
What were the Confederate's initial plans for defending Richmond from the Union's Peninsula campaign?
The large numbers of Union troops landing on Virginia's eastern peninsula was not taken lightly. By April 14, 1862, the Confederates planned on reinforcing the Southern forces defending Richmond with troops called up from Georgia and South Carolina. It was hoped that this new army combined with Southern troops at Yorktown would slow down Union operations moving west towards Richmond.
What was the conclusion of the Confederacy regarding an assault against Richmond as the Battle of Cedar Mountain unfolded?
When Union General John Pope took forward positions at Cedar Mountain, it appeared as if Pope was planning on an assault on Richmond. In reality Union General Halleck had had given orders to General Pope to hold his position and not move forward to Richmond. Halleck wanted to be patient and wait until units from the Army of the Potomac could join Pope's army.
Who created the Union's Peninsula campaign of 1862?
The Peninsula campaign was the work of the Union's General in Chief, George B. McClellan. As general in chief, McClellan submitted a brilliant plan to catch the Confederates off guard and instead of attacking Richmond with a march due south from Washington DC, he convinced President Lincoln that time and distance could be saved by launching the attack against Richmond from the peninsula that lay east of Richmond. Lincoln finally agreed with the plan but as McClellan was proceeding, Lincoln thought it best to remove McClellan as general in chief so that he could focus all his attention on Richmond and not be distracted with other military operations.
What situation in July of 1862 caused Confederate General Lee to focus his attention on the Union General Pope's army?
General Robert E. Lee viewed Union General John Pope's army in northern Virginia to be a threat to the Virginia Central Railroad. This was an important line of supply and communications between Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley. While General McClellan was slow to move his troops out of the Peninsula, Lee decided to focus his attention on Pope and prepare an assault on his Union army.
What plan of action did Union General George G Meade was the best way to assault Richmond?
Union General George Meade still believed that a "peninsula campaign" was the best way to assault Richmond. Meade did not press his ideas because of the 1862 failed Peninsula campaign of General George B. McClellan.
What was one advantage the proposal for the Peninsula campaign offered to the Union?
The McClellan proposal offered the Union the advantage of beginning its assault on Richmond from a point only sixty miles away from the Confederate capital. Lincoln had preferred a direct attack by the Army of the Potomac under McClellan from Washington DC. McClellan was concerned that Confederate forces at Manassas, would thwart a direct attack on Richmond. Lincoln reluctantly agreed to the Peninsula campaign if McClellan left behind a sufficient force to guard Washington DC.
Why was the Bermuda Hundred important in the US Civil War?
This coastal area in Virginia called the Bermuda Hundred was important in that it was the beachhead from where the Union Army of the James landed in the Spring of 1864. This army's mission was to use the Bermuda Hundred peninsula as a starting point for the Union's assault on railroads and take either Richmond or Petersburg. It's location was ideal for the Union's landing.
What was the first response of Jefferson Davis when he learned of the Union's presence on the peninsula leading to Richmond?
When Jefferson Davis first became alarmed at the presence of Union troops on the peninsula leading to Richmond, he considered sending additional troops to General Stonewall's Jackson army in the Shenandoah Valley. The idea was for Jackson to then threaten Washington DC. The plan was to have Jackson cross the Potomac River, thereby distracting Washington DC and diverting Union troops away from the peninsula to defend the Union capitol.
What was the objective of the Union during the Peninsula campaign?
The Union's objective in the Peninsular Campaign was to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond and end the war. General McClellan had convinced President Lincoln that the plan Lincoln favored would take too long. Using the York and James River peninsula would be a shorter march to Richmond. Unfortunately, for the Union it was a failure. However looking at it from the Confederate point of view, the repulse of the Union army saved Richmond and at the same time brought in Confederate General Robert E. Lee to defend Virginia and Richmond.
What were the Confederate's initial plans for defending Richmond from the Union's Peninsula campaign?
The large numbers of Union troops landing on Virginia's eastern peninsula was not taken lightly. By April 14, 1862, the Confederates planned on reinforcing the Southern forces defending Richmond with troops called up from Georgia and South Carolina. It was hoped that this new army combined with Southern troops at Yorktown would slow down Union operations moving west towards Richmond.
When did the Confederates learn that Union forces were landing on peninsula located on the east coast of Virginia?
On March 25, 1862, the Confederates learned that Union troops were anding on the eastern peninsula that connected to Richmond. Apparently, this was a surprise to the Rebels and they rushed to reinforce Yorktown.
What was the conclusion of the Confederacy regarding an assault against Richmond as the Battle of Cedar Mountain unfolded?
When Union General John Pope took forward positions at Cedar Mountain, it appeared as if Pope was planning on an assault on Richmond. In reality Union General Halleck had had given orders to General Pope to hold his position and not move forward to Richmond. Halleck wanted to be patient and wait until units from the Army of the Potomac could join Pope's army.
What happened to Union generals when captured during the Peninsula campaign?
During the Peninsula campaign and after other major battles in Virginia, Union generals were very well treated. They were placed on parole and allowed to walk the streets of Richmond unguarded. This was not the case for rank and file Union prisoners who were held at Libby prison.
What caused Confederate General Joseph Johnston to fall out of favor with Jefferson Davis during the Peninsula campaign?
On May 21, 1862 Confederate President Jefferson Davis demanded the battle plans of Major General Joseph Johnston's defense of Richmond. Davis had realized that Johnston had no intentions of using the Peninsula as a base for his defensive operations against the Union forces on their way to assault Richmond. Finally, General Lee and Davis convinced Johnston to attack Union General McClellan's forces east of Richmond on the peninsula. Johnston's refusal, then reluctance to do so, would later become evident in the Atlanta campaign when Johnston would be replaced by John Bell Hood. Davis and Johnston would never get along with each other throughout the war.
When was the Confederate gunboat called the CSS Teaser captured?
Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the failure of the Peninsula campaign, the North was not discouraged. The Confederate gunboat the CSS Teaser was captured as it sailed down the James River to launch an observation balloon. The North was trying to make the best of a failed Union assault on Richmond.
Who created the Union's Peninsula campaign of 1862?
The Peninsula campaign was the work of the Union's General in Chief, George B. McClellan. As general in chief, McClellan submitted a brilliant plan to catch the Confederates off guard and instead of attacking Richmond with a march due south from Washington DC, he convinced President Lincoln that time and distance could be saved by launching the attack against Richmond from the peninsula that lay east of Richmond. Lincoln finally agreed with the plan but as McClellan was proceeding, Lincoln thought it best to remove McClellan as general in chief so that he could focus all his attention on Richmond and not be distracted with other military operations.
