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.
Confederates are forced to destroy their fearsome ironclad to prevent capture. This paves the way for Federals to advance up the James River to threaten Richmond.
Portions of the main armies on the Virginia Peninsula clash in a savage engagement that does little to change the dispositions of either Federals or Confederates.
The Federal Army of the Potomac enters the abandoned enemy works at Yorktown. Some hail this as a great victory while others note that the Confederate army had escaped intact.
As George B. McClellan prepares to bombard Confederates at Yorktown, Joseph E. Johnston begins planning a retreat.