17 - "His Name Might Be Audacity" - The Seven Days Campaign

About this episode: 

In March of 1862, Major General George B. McClellan began to land his massive army on the Virginia peninsula, created by the York and James Rivers. Its objective: Richmond. That army got as close as 4-5 miles, close enough to set their time pieces to the ringing church bells of the Confederate capital. Then, on the 31st of May and the 1st of June, there were two messy, inconclusive days of battle. One of the casualties was a significant one: Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Knocked from command of the army defending Richmond, President Jefferson Davis named another. That new commander was 55 years old, and for the first month he reorganized, ordered the digging of trenches, and postured before the enemy. For that supposed inactivity, the Richmond press derisively called him "Granny." Then came the 25th of June, and for the next week, what this commander unleashed was so audacious that no one ever called him "Granny" again. No one. This is the story of Robert E. Lee's first major offensive. This is the story of The Seven Days.

Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: 

George B. McClellan

Robert E. Lee

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

Joseph E. Johnston

Edward Porter Alexander

J.E.B. Stewart

Philip St. George Cooke

Fitz John Porter

James Longstreet

Theophilus H. Holmes

 

Other References From This Episode:

 

 The Seven Days Campaign Battle Map

*** Map Source: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War

*** Painting Source: Don Troiani, Historical Art Prints

Get The Guide:

Want to learn more about the Civil War? A great place to start is Fred's guide, The Civil War: A History of the War between the States from Workman Publishing. The guide is in its 9th printing.

 

Producer: Dan Irving