Battle of Savage's Station
Henrico County, near Richmond, Virginia, USA
What happened
Confederates under John B. Magruder attacked the Union rear guard, Edwin V. Sumner's II Corps. As McClellan's army pulled back toward the James River, Magruder attacked its rear guard near Savage's Station. He sent in only part of his smaller force, and Stonewall Jackson's troops were held up north of the Chickahominy River. The fight ended in a standoff as darkness and storms arrived. When the Union army moved on, it left more than 2,500 wounded soldiers at its field hospital, and they were captured.
Why it matters
Lee had hoped to destroy the Union army during its retreat, but the plan failed. Most Union troops crossed White Oak Swamp Creek with little trouble by noon the next day.
What came next
The Seven Days Battles continued on 30 June with the larger Battle of Glendale.
Did you know?
The Confederates used the first armored railroad gun in battle, nicknamed the 'Land Merrimack'.
Timeline
- 27 Jun 1862Battle of Gaines' Mill.
- 29 Jun 1862Battle of Savage's Station.
- 30 Jun 1862Battle of Glendale.
- 1 Jul 1862Battle of Malvern Hill.