Fair Oaks 1862

An illustrated breakdown of General McClellan's defeat by the Confederate Army at Fair Oaks in 1862.



Following its humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, General George B. McClellan took command of the Union Army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1862, having rebuilt his forces, the "Little Napoleon" devised a plan to end the war in a single campaign. Transporting his army by sea to the Virginia Peninsula, he would outflank Confederate forces and march unopposed on Richmond, the Southern capital. Excessive caution squandered the opportunity, however, and on 31 May the Confederates struck at McClellan's divided forces at Fair Oaks.



This book details McClellan's controversial Peninsula campaign and the southern attempt to halt the Union juggernaut.