Richmond, Virginia
Union General George B. McClellan, although now on the defensive in the long-running Peninsular Campaign, is yet threatening Richmond, Virgina, the Confederate Capital. His advance to Richmond checked and earlier this month outmanuevered by Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s forces during the Battle of Seven Pines (also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks Station), McClelland claims victory (as does Confederate General Johnston) yet struggles to hold his advance.
The Battle of Seven Pines is the largest engagement in the Eastern theater to this point, and second largest of all battles thus far in terms of casualties (Shiloh being the largest), with over 5,000 Union casualties and more than 6,100 Confederate casualties. Of Seven Pines, McClellan writes: “I am tired of the sickening sight of the battlefield, with its mangled corpses & poor suffering wounded! Victory has no charms for me when purchased at such cost.”
Soldier casualties, however, also take place apart from the battlefield. As rain falls in Richmond mere days after Seven Pines, the Richmond Times Dispatch reports of an unusual accident at Richmond’s First Baptist Church that places the life of a Confederate soldier in danger:
A soldier took shelter in the portico of the First Baptist Church on saturday, during the rain, and placed his gun against one of the pillars. Shortly afterward, by some accident, the weapon was knocked down, and exploding, lodged the ball in his shoulder. An army surgeon passing at the time rendered the necessary assistance. The wound inflicted upon the unfortunate soldier was very severe.
The identity and fate of the soldier remains unknown.
Sources: Battle of Seven Pines / Fair Oaks Station information (link); Richmond Times Dispatch, June 9, 1862 (link)
