Williamsburg

York County and Williamsburg, VA  |  May 5, 1862

On May 5, 1862, elements of Union General George B. McClellan’s army attacked the rear guard of General Joseph E. Johnston’s retreating army near Williamsburg, Virginia, resulting in an inconclusive fight. After the battle, the Federal army continued their campaign and moved toward Richmond. 

How It Ended

Inconclusive. After fighting most of the day, the Confederate army withdrew during the evening ending the battle. Though the Southerners left the field, the battle was considered inconclusive since it was a delaying action meant to buy time for the retreating Confederate army. 

In Context

In the early spring of 1862, McClellan and the Army of the Potomac launched a campaign to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond. McClellan landed his force at Fort Monroe and moved up the Virginia Peninsula. Initially, McClellan’s army was stopped by Confederate forces at Yorktown, which resulted in a month-long siege. On May 4th, the Confederates abandoned Yorktown and withdrew toward Williamsburg.

As the Confederates withdrew from their lines at Yorktown, McClellan sent forward the III Corps under the command of General Samuel P. Heintzelman. Heintzelman’s orders were to follow the Confederate army, while Johnston planned to delay the Union pursuit.

Forces Engaged
72,591
Union
40,768
Confed.
31,823

Early on the morning of May 5th, Union forces under the command of General Joseph Hooker moved towards the Confederate lines near Fort Magruder outside Williamsburg. Hooker's men immediately attacked the Confederates and were repulsed. Confederates under General James Longstreet counterattacked but Phil Kearny's division moved up to stabilize the Federal left. General Darius N. Couch's IV Corps brigade arrived to support Hooker's right. General Winfield S. Hancock's brigade moved to threaten the Confederate left flank, occupying an abandoned redoubt. Confederates under General Jubal Early counterattacked against Hancock and were repulsed.

Union
2,283
0 killed
0 wounded
0 missing & captured
Estimated Casualties
3,843
Union
2,283
Confed.
1,560
Confederate
1,560
0 killed
0 wounded
0 missing & captured

At nightfall, the Confederate forces abandoned the field although the engagement bought time for the main army to continue their withdrawal beyond Williamsburg.

1. How did Winfield Scott Hancock receive his nickname “Hancock the Superb” from the battle?

During the Battle of Williamsburg, Hancock was tasked with moving around the Federal right flank and probing Longstreet's extreme left. During this move, Hancock captured Redbout 11. Once the Confederates realized that Hancock's men were threatening their left, Jubal Early was sent to attack the Federals. Hancock's men summarily repulsed the Confederate attack. After the battle, McClellan wrote back to Washington D.C., citing, "Hancock was superb today."

2. What role did the tune “Yankee Doodle” play in the battle?

With a Confederate counterattack bearing hard upon the Federal lines, Union III Corps commander Samuel P. Heintzelman ordered several regimental bands to play Yankee Doodle to rally some of the broken regiments. The music lifted the men's morale and came just in time for Kearny's reinforcements to arrive on the field. One of Heintzelman's staff offers later stated that the music "was worth a thousand men and saved the battle."

All battles of the Peninsula Campaign

Hampton Roads
Newport News, Norfok, and Portsmouth, VA  |  Mar 8 - 9, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 393
Union: 369
Confederate: 24
Lee's Mill
City of Newport News, VA  |  Apr 5, 1862
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 240
Union: 165
Confederate: 75
Yorktown
York County and Newport News, VA  |  Apr 5 - May 4, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 482
Union: 182
Confederate: 300
Williamsburg
York County and Williamsburg, VA  |  May 5, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 3,843
Union: 2,283
Confederate: 1,560
Seven Pines
Henrico County, VA  |  May 31 - Jun 1, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 13,736
Union: 5,739
Confederate: 7,997
Beaver Dam Creek
Hanover County, VA  |  Jun 26, 1862
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,700
Union: 400
Confederate: 1,300
Gaines' Mill
Hanover County, VA  |  Jun 27, 1862
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 15,500
Union: 6,800
Confederate: 8,700
Glendale
Henrico County, VA  |  Jun 30, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 7,470
Union: 3,797
Confederate: 3,673
Malvern Hill
Henrico County, VA  |  Jul 1, 1862
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 7,700
Union: 2,100
Confederate: 5,600

Related Battles

York County and Williamsburg, VA | May 5, 1862
Result: Inconclusive
Commanders
Forces Engaged
72,591
Union
40,768
Confed.
31,823
Estimated Casualties
3,843
Union
2,283
Confed.
1,560

The Battlefields Today