Peninsular Campaign (mar 1, 1862 – jul 1, 1862)
Description:
After Lincoln had issued his General War Order Number One on January 27, and his Special War Order - ordered directly to McClellan and the Army of the Potomac - McClellan was forced to take action and adhere to Lincoln's order: "to move against Joseph E. Johnston's army at Manassas Junction" (Ward, Burns & Burns, 1990, p. 82).
McClellan, however, came up with a strategy of his own. This strategy was called "Peninsular Campaign". McClellan was afraid of making direct advancements through northern Virginia to capture Richmond, as he knew he believed there would be many Confederate armies awaiting there. And so his plan was to circumvent Manassas Junction, "float his army down Chesapeake Bay to Urbanna, near the mouth of Rappahannock River, and then march overland to Richmond before the Confederate commander could block him." (Ward, Burns & Burns, 1990, pp. 84-85).
Lincoln did not like the plan, but McClellan's reassurances had Lincoln convinced. Unfortunately, the Peninsular Campaign turned out to be a disaster from beginning to end. It can be divided into three phases.
Phase 1: March 31 - June 1, Union forces reached the town of White House, close to Richmond, and engaged in a battle with General Joseph E. Johnston (Battle of the Seven Pines). Johnston was wounded, there was no clear victor however. Command of the Confederate army was overturned to Lee.
Phase 2: Three weeks spent inactive.
Phase 3: June 25 - July 1, The Seven Days' Battle, a full week of fighting during which the Union won most battles, however, McClellan refused to advance as Lee's victories had broken his courage. Lee proved to be victorious in the end, forcing the Federal Army to withdraw ("Peninsular Campaign", 2018).
What was significant was that Lincoln had thereafter completely lost his patience and faith in McClellan, and replaced him with Henry "Old Brains" Halleck (Ward, Burns & Burns, 1990, p. 121).
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