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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 (also called the Siege of Yorktown) happened from April 5 to May 4, 1862. It was a key part of the Peninsula Campaign during the American Civil War.

Union Army Major general George B. McClellan led his troops from Fort Monroe. They were marching towards Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. Along the way, they met a smaller Confederate force. This force was led by Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder near Yorktown. Instead of fighting a quick battle, McClellan decided to start a siege. A siege means surrounding a place and trying to capture it over time.

The Start of the Siege

On April 5, 1862, the Union's IV Corps, led by Brigadier general Erasmus D. Keyes, first met the Confederate defenses. This happened at a place called Lee's Mill. McClellan had thought his army would pass through this area easily.

However, General Magruder moved his soldiers around a lot. This made the Union army believe that the Confederate defenses were very strong. The two armies then started an artillery duel. This means they fired cannons at each other. Union scouts also checked out the Confederate forts. They told General Keyes that the forts were indeed very strong. Because of this, Keyes told McClellan not to attack them directly.

Building Up for Battle

McClellan listened to his generals. He ordered his troops to build special siege fortifications. These are strong walls and trenches used to protect soldiers during a long attack. He also brought up his large siege guns. These were very powerful cannons used to break down enemy defenses.

While the Union army was getting ready, General Joseph E. Johnston arrived. He brought more soldiers to help General Magruder and the Confederate forces. These extra soldiers were called reinforcements.

Probing the Defenses

On April 16, Union soldiers tried to find a weak spot in the Confederate line. They attacked a place called Dam No. 1. The Union troops had some early success in this attack. But they did not use this chance to push forward. This mistake caused McClellan to be held up for two more weeks.

During this time, McClellan tried to convince the U.S. Navy to help. He wanted the Navy to sail past the big Confederate cannons at Yorktown and Gloucester Point. His plan was for them to go up the York River to West Point. This would allow them to get behind the Confederate defenses, a move called "outflanking."

The Confederate Escape

McClellan planned a huge bombardment for the early morning of May 5. A bombardment is when many cannons fire at the same time. But the Confederate army had a different plan. They quietly left Yorktown during the night of May 3. They moved towards Williamsburg. This meant McClellan's big attack never happened.

This battle took place near the same spot as the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. That earlier siege was the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War in the eastern United States.

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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