Seven Days' Battles

Seven Days' Battles

(June 25–July 1, 1862) American Civil War battles that prevented Union capture of Richmond, Va. In a series of attacks and counterattacks by both sides, the Confederate army under Robert E. Lee forced Union troops under George B. McClellan to retreat from a position 4 mi (6 km) east of the Confederate capital to a new base on the James River. The Union failure to take Richmond and the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac ended the Peninsular Campaign. Casualties were estimated at 16,000 for the Union and 20,000 for the Confederates.