As part of the Seven Days Battles, as the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, on June 27, 1862, General Robert E. Lee won his first Confederate victory. This was by far the largest and costliest battle in the Eastern theatre thus far (95,000 engaged, estimated casualties 15,000).
To commemorate the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Richmond National Battlefield Park held a series of tours, living history programs, and presentations to reflect on the significance of the battle. Events took place over the weekend of June 23-24 and on June 27, 2012.
As part of the Seven Days Battles, on June 30, 1862, Confederate and Union forces clashed. Despite fierce fighting in close quarters, Confederate attempts to cut the Union army off in its retreat to the James River were unsuccessful.
To commemorate the Battle of Glendale, Richmond National Battlefield Park held a series of tours, living history programs, and presentations to reflect on the significance of the battle.
On September 29, 1864 Union armies under General U.S. Grant assaulted the Richmond and Petersburg fortifications in an effort to weaken and possibly break the Confederate defenses. The fighting outside Richmond at New Market Heights, Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer, referred to cumulatively as the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, proved the most serious threat to the Confederate capital prior to its fall. Richmond National Battlefield commemorated the event with special living history and ranger-led programs at the Fort Harrison battlefield. Volunteers portraying Union and Confederate infantry and artillery units provided cannon and rifle firing demonstrations. Following the artillery demonstrations, Confederate infantry demonstrated the firing of Civil War rifle muskets and discussed the role of infantry during the battle. Ranger-led walking tours examined photographs of the historic fort that was a critical part of the Richmond defenses and, once captured, became a toehold for Union forces near the end of the war.
Confederates were successful in preventing Union warships – including the U.S.S Monitor – from reaching the city of Richmond. For the remainder of the war, Union forces would rely on overland routes in their efforts to take the capitol.
The living history weekend featured special tours, demonstrations, and programs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff.
As part of the Seven Days Battles, on July 1, 1862, Confederate and Union forces clashed once again at Malvern Hill. Repeated but unorganized Confederate assaults were unable to take the strong Union position on high ground in the final and largest battle of the Seven Days.
To commemorate the Battle of Malvern Hill, Richmond National Battlefield Park held a series of tours, living history programs, and presentations to reflect on the significance of the battle.
