Seven Days Battles--White Oak Swamp

After the Battle of Savage’s Station on 29 June 1862, the rear guard of the Union Army of the Potomac continued its withdrawal toward the James River, passing through White Oak Swamp and destroying the bridge here. Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, in pursuit, arrived here on 30 June to find Union Brig. Gen. William B. Franklin holding the high ground to the south with artillery and about 25,000 men. Jackson launched an artillery attack shortly before 2 p.m., lasting several hours. Meanwhile, Confederate forces attacked the Union column at Glendale, two miles southwest of here. Failing to force a passage through White Oak Swamp that day, Jackson crossed early on 1 July.

Department of Historic Resources, 2026