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Siege of Yorktown (1862) facts for kids

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This page is about the American Civil War battle. For the American Revolutionary War battle, see Battle of Yorktown.
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Siege of Yorktown (1862)
Part of the American Civil War
Battle of Yorktown, Pursuit sketch.png
Pursuit of the flying rebels from Yorktown Sunday morning.
Alfred R. Waud, artist.
Date April 5 – May 4, 1862
Location
York County and Newport News, Virginia
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
George B. McClellan John B. Magruder
Joseph E. Johnston
Strength
121,500 35,000
Casualties and losses
182 300

The Battle of Yorktown or Siege of Yorktown was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. Marching from Fort Monroe, Union Major general George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac encountered Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder's small Confederate force at Yorktown. McClellan suspended his march up the Virginia Peninsula toward Richmond and settled in for siege operations.

On April 5, the IV Corps of Brigadier general Erasmus D. Keyes made initial contact with Confederate defensive works at Lee's Mill. This was an area McClellan expected to move through without resistance. Magruder's movement of troops back and forth convinced the Union that his works were strongly held. As the two armies fought an artillery duel, reconnaissance indicated to Keyes the strength of the Confederate fortifications, and he advised McClellan against assaulting them. McClellan ordered the construction of siege fortifications and brought his heavy siege guns to the front. In the meantime, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston brought reinforcements for Magruder.

On April 16, Union forces probed a point in the Confederate line at Dam No. 1. The Union failed to exploit the initial success of this attack, however. This lost opportunity held up McClellan for two additional weeks while he tried to convince the U.S. Navy to bypass the Confederates' big guns at Yorktown and Gloucester Point and ascend the York River to West Point and outflank the Warwick Line. McClellan planned a massive bombardment for dawn on May 5. But the Confederate army had slipped away during the night of May 3 toward Williamsburg.

The battle took place near the site of the 1781 Siege of Yorktown, the final battle of the American Revolutionary War in the east.

Images for kids

  • In Front of Yorktown by Winslow Homer

    In Front of Yorktown, 1862–1863, by Winslow Homer

  • Skirmish at Lee's Mills

    The skirmish near Dam Number One

  • Yorktown artillery2

    Union battery with 13-inch (330 mm) seacoast mortars, Model 1861, during siege of Yorktown, Virginia 1862.

  • The photographic history of the Civil War - thousands of scenes photographed 1861-65, with text by many special authorities (1911) (14762890385)

    McClellan's guns and gunners near the lower wharf at Yorktown after the Confederate evacuation

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 16-38-37

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Plaque 1

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 16-39-13

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Plaque 2

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 18-42-48

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Obelisk South Face

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 18-44-12

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Obelisk West Face

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 18-45-23

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Obelisk North Face

  • Dam No- One Battlefield Site 2012-09-05 18-47-32

    Dam No. One Battlefield Site Obelisk East Face

  • Yorktown, Va., vicinity. Topographical engineers, Camp Winfield Scott LOC 5598415588

    Yorktown, Va., vicinity. Topographical engineers, Camp Winfield Scott May 2, 1862 by James F. Gibson;

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 282

    [Top] Yorktown [Bottom] Richmond VA

  • Southwest View of Battery No. 1 at Farnhold's House, York River Mounting One 200 Pound and Five 100 Pound Rifled Guns. (19980253731)

    Southwest View of Battery No. 1 at Farnhold's House, York River Mounting One 200 Pound and Five 100 Pound Rifled Guns by James F. Gibson

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 280

    [Top] Union Battery No. 1; [Bottom] Farenhold mansion

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 278

    Union Battery No. 1

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 05 Page 029

    [Top] Union Battery No. 1; [bottom]Union Battery No. 4 Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 263

    Union Battery No. 4 South & southeast of Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 266

    Union Battery No. 4 Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 264

    Union Battery No. 4 Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 05 Page 031

    Union Battery No. 4 Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 04 Page 087

    Cornwallis Cave

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 09 Page 290

    [Top] Scene of Cornwallis surrender

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 07 Page 265

    [Top] CS Naval Battery [Bottom] Cornwallis Hq used as a hospital

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 272

    [Top]Confederate Fortifications [Bottom] MaGruder Headquarters

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 262

    MaGruder Battery CSA

  • Battles and leaders of the Civil War - being for the most part contributions by Union and Confederate officers, based upon "The Century war series." (1887) (14576385987)

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 276

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 01 Page 274

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 05 Page 061

    A confederate cannon that burst trying to reach Federal artillery Battery No. 1

  • The Photographic History of The Civil War Volume 05 Page 183

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • Cannons in Yorktown, Virginia

    Confederate Forticiations at Yorktown

  • Confederate fortifications

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • Confederate fortification at Yorktown, Virginia

    Confederate Fortifications at Yorktown

  • Water Battery at Yorktown MET DP70622

    Water Battery at Yorktown by James F. Gibson

See also

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