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Yorktown Landing, Virginia, Siege at Yorktown Landing, 1862, historic photo

Yorktown Landing, Virginia, Siege at Yorktown Landing, 1862, historic photo

An historic photo view of the Union artillery munitions at the harbor of Yorktown Landing, Virginia. The Civil War Siege of Yorktown Landing took place from April 5 to May 4, 1862. At this location, Union Major General George B. McClellan encountered the Confederate forces commanded by Major General John B. Magruder. Believing that the Confederate forces were greater in number and strength than they actually were, McClellan delayed a direct confrontation and brought in large numbers of heavy artillery in preparation of a massive bombardment of the Confederate position planned for the morning of May 5, 1862. In the meantime, several smaller artillery skirmishes were fought without major damage to either side. Beginning on the night of May 3, the Confederate forces were able to evacuate undetected toward Richmond, Virginia thus avoiding what would have likely been a devastating blow had they remained. It was not until the following morning, May 4, that McClellan discovered that the Confederate position had been completely abandoned.

Note the numerous ships in the harbor background of this photo. The Yorktown Landing area is the same location that in 1781, General Washington defeated the British forces commanded by General Cornwallis in the final decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.

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