10. Mr Lincoln's War: What was the name of the fourth of the "Seven Days Battles", fought on 29 June, 1862, and cost the life of Brig Gen Richard Griffith?
From Quiz Stubborn Stumpers - the "S" Quiz
Answer:
Battle of Savage's Station
The Battle of Savage's Station took place in Henrico County, Virginia, when the Rebel troops attacked the rearguard of two Pennsylvania regiments of the Army of the Potomac. The Union troops were retreating after the Battle of Oak Grove, attacks at Beaver Dam Creek and at Garnett's and Goldings farms. Most of the Union troops were concentrated near the Richmond and York River Railroad's station at Savage State, but they were lacking leadership (Maj Gen McClellan had moved on and didn't leave instructions); troops were being moved out by rail, but the wounded were not being taken and morale was very low. Several divisions of troops were to be moved into position to attack, but some orders were garbled, one commander was under the influence of morphine for medical purposes and couldn't think straight, and one decided it was better to rebuild bridges over the Chickahominy River. By the time battle commenced, what should have been an easy rout for the Confederacy turned into a melee which ended with no victor.
The Battle of Sappony Church was fought in Sussex County, Virginia on 28 June 1864. The objective was for Union troops to cut the rail lines serving the Confederate capital at Richmond, which was a major supply depot. Confederate Generals William Lee and Wade Hampton attacked Union troops led by Generals James Wilson and August Kautz, denying the Union troops the opportunity to cut the supply route.
The Battle of Spring Hill in Maury County, Tennessee, took place on 29 November 1864, part of the Franklin-Nashville campaign. Confederate General John Hood hoped to position his troops to keep three Union armies separated. The whole thing was a fiasco and the Union troops were not deterred in their objective of reaching Franklin. Possible reasons for the debacle included drunkenness amongst the commanders, failed communications, Hood being under the influence of laudanum, and even covert meddling by a civilian.
The Battle of St Charles in Arkansas County, Arkansas, was fought by both infantry and naval troops on 17 June 1862. The USS Mound City and several other ships was travelling up the White River, transporting supplies needed in Jacksonport. The infantry troops of the 46th Regiment Indiana Infantry disembarked from their transport ship, while gunboats sailed up to try to deal with the known Confederate gun batteries on the shore. Failing to remove them, shots from the batteries hit the Mound City, causing its boilers to explode. Most of the sailors were scalded to death. The infantry were then able to chase off the Confederate troops, leaving the river safe for Union shipping.