Confederate victories in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley prevent Federal reinforcements from reaching George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. This leaves McClellan vulnerable on the Peninsula.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Confederate victories in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley prevent Federal reinforcements from reaching George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. This leaves McClellan vulnerable on the Peninsula.
As the Federal Army of the Potomac continues inching toward Richmond, Abraham Lincoln conditionally approves George B. McClellan’s request for reinforcements.
Confederate batteries along the James River take on a Federal fleet approaching in an effort to capture Richmond from the water.
Panic begins spreading throughout the Confederate capital of Richmond as George B. McClellan’s Federal army is now just 22 miles away and still advancing up the Virginia Peninsula.
As Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates fall back to the Chickahominy River, George B. McClellan continues complaining to the Lincoln administration about lack of adequate support.
Jefferson Davis signs a bill into law creating the first national military draft in American history.