The Seven Days’ Battles- White Oak Swamp

By the morning of the 30th all of the Union Army of the Potomac’s forces were now south of White Oak Swamp two miles from Glendale and three miles from Malvern Hill. The map below from the Civil War Trails sign at the White Oak Swamp stop shows the alignment of forces and Lee’s four pronged plan to surround and destroy the Federal army. Union forces were strung out along the route. At White Oak Swamp guarding the rear of the army and the crossing were three batteries of artillery, William “Baldy” Smith’s division of the VI Corps, Israel Richardson’s division of the II Corps, and Nagle’s brigade from the IV Corps. Guarding the intersection at Glendale were Henry Slocum’s division of the VI Corps positioned to the west along the Charles City Road. To the south guarding the Long Bridge Road approach to the intersection were George McCall’s division from the V Corps. On McCall’s left near the Willis Church was Joe Hooker’s division of the III Corps and to their rear was John Sedgwick’s division of the II Corps. A mile south on Malvern Hill was Porter’s Corps who had retreated there all the way from Gaines’ Mill while Keyes IV Corps were near the James River. McClellan was off looking for a position for his new base and once again had left no one in command on the field. Union forces at each of these locations were an admixture of different commands. They were, however, placed at key locations where the Confederates were likely to attack but with gaps between them. Battles on this day would occur at all of the routes of approach of Lee’s army.

**Map from the Civil War Trails sign at White Oak Swamp- north is at the bottom**

**Lee’s plan to trap McClellan’s Army of the Potomac- map from To the Gates of Richmond in sources**

Huger was coming down the Charles City Road, which led directly to Glendale, south of White Oak Swamp. William Mahone’s men were at the front when they came across a Union force chopping down trees trying to obstruct the road. Rather than attacking, Mahone decided to cut a new road through the forest around the Federals, a decision that would slow the column’s advance dramatically. Other than shelling the Federals from a position about 2 miles from Glendale Huger would make no further progress and did not aid in Longstreet and A.P. Hill’s attack on Glendale on the Long Bridge Road later in the day.

Holmes was coming down the River Road toward Malvern Hill. By 10:00 AM he had reached New Market. Colonel Thomas Rosser’s 5th VA Cavalry sent a small force ahead down the road and discovered Porter moving into position on Malvern Hill. When Rosser relayed this information to Holmes he felt he was being ignored and went over his head to Lee who then ordered Holmes to immediately attack. Holmes would not start his assault until 5:00 PM, however, giving Porter valuable additional time to get his men into position. Porter had now gotten two of his divisions and eight batteries into position. Sykes’ division was on top of the hill with Colonel Gouverneur Warren’s brigade in the valley to the south. As Holmes’ men moved forward they were in range of Union ships on the James River and the USS Galena and Aroostook opened fire. The naval bombardment plus the withering fire of Warren’s brigade halted Holmes’ advance. The action here would have even broader impact in that when Longstreet heard that Holmes needed assistance, he sent Magruder’s 13,000 men there. They would arrive too late to help Holmes and in the process be unavailable to support Longstreet and A.P. Hill along the Long Bridge Road. Two parts of Lee’s four pronged plan had now failed. Huger and Holmes poor performance this day would lead to their eventual reassignment away from the Army of Northern Virginia. The marker below interprets Holmes’ advance.

Jackson arrived at White Oak Swamp around noon on the 30th. The Federals had destroyed both the White Oak Bridge, as well as the bridge over Brackett’s Ford. Jackson ordered his head of artillery, Colonel Stapleton Crutchfield, to deploy his guns and a long range artillery duel ensued between forces on opposite sides of the swamp. Hearing the artillery fire Sedgwick sent two of his brigades under Brigadier Generals Napoleon Dana and Willis Gorman to support Union forces at the swamp. Making no progress against the strong Federal position the Confederates attempted to find alternative areas to cross the swamp. Wade Hampton found a crossing point about a quarter of a mile away where the swamp was only 10-15 feet wide with a good bottom. Hampton rode back to inform Jackson and was given permission to build a bridge there. When Hampton informed Jackson the bridge was completed, Jackson inexplicably walked away, and after Hampton left fell asleep. He arose ate dinner and fell asleep again. He awoke a few hours later and told his men to get some sleep and we’ll see what we can do in the morning. This inexplicable behavior on Jackson’s part was likely the result of severe sleep deprivation from the cumulative effects of the Valley campaign, the difficult trip from the Valley to the Peninsula, and the initial part of the Seven Days’ battles. The third part of Lee’s plan had fallen apart. Lee’s attempt to stop the Federal retreat would now be up to Longstreet and A.P. Hill coming up the Long Bridge Road toward Glendale and Frayser’s Farm. The signs below interpret the action at and near White Oak Swamp.