19. Magruder’s Theatrics Saved Richmond for the Confederacy – and Kept the War Going for Three More Years
By using a wide variety of tricks and theatrics, John B. Magruder convinced McClellan that the Confederate positions were too strong for a frontal attack. The Confederate commander’s task was made easier by McClellan’s tendency to take counsel of his fears and believe himself outnumbered. On April 5th, 1862, the Union commander ordered a halt on his side of the Warwick River, and had his men dig in. He then set out to conduct a siege when he could have simply bulled through, swatted Magruder aside, and seized Richmond as it was his for the taking.
For a month, McClellan methodically prepared for a huge attack to break through Magruder’s “strong defenses”. He concentrated men, guns, and munitions for a massive bombardment scheduled for May 5th, 1862, followed by an overwhelming attack. Having already bought his side a month to prepare for the defense of Richmond, Magruder slipped away on the night of May 3rd, leaving behind empty trenches for the enemy to occupy. McClellan resumed his advance, but by then Confederate reinforcements had arrived, and he was halted at the gates of Richmond. The Union forces were then pushed back to their starting point with furious attacks during the Seven Days Battles, and the Peninsula Campaign came to an ignominious end.