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==== The Peninsula ====
[[File:peninsula campaign.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Battles near Richmond during the Peninsula Campaign.]]
The Peninsula Campaign was waged from April through July 1862. During this time, at the Battle of Seven Pines, General Joseph Johnston, the supreme commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, was seriously wounded. The following day, June 1, 1862, command of the army was given to Robert E. Lee.<ref>Simpson, 107.</ref>General Lee took command a mere three weeks before the most ferocious battles on the peninsula occurred.
From June 25 through July 1, the Seven Days Battles occurred. Nine battles took place during this short span. Under the leadership of General George B. McClellan, the goal of the Federal Army was to push north from the tip of the peninsula and attack Richmond. Hood’s Brigade led General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Army down the peninsula to prevent the Federal troops from advancing on Richmond. The Union Army was approximately ten miles from the Confederate capital. General McClellan, imagining the Confederates had a far greater number of troops than they actually did, ordered General Fitz John Porter to fall back and establish a defensive position for a strong rearguard. Porter entrenched his men just to the southeast of a mill owned by Dr. William F. Gaines. His position was ideal for maintaining a strong defense as his troops were positioned on a plateau behind Boatswain’s Creek. Additionally, on their retreat to this position, the Federal troops felled trees and created as many obstacles as possible to detain the Rebels on their attack.
==== Lee's Strategy ====
