May 7, 1862

May 7, 1862: Eastern Theater, Peninsula Campaign - Two days ago, ignoring the battle at Williamsburg, McClellan supervises the boarding of William Franklin’s division aboard transports, to be followed by Sedgwick’s division. McClellan’s plan is to steam these division up the York River and land them behind Confederate lines, and thus trap Johnston’ army and destroy it. Today, Franklin lands his troops and finds that he is immediately clashing with Rebel troops nearby, which means he is not behind the Rebels, and that Johnston is able to continue marching by, northwest towards Richmond. Franklin skirmishes all day with Gen. John B. Hood’s troops, to no avail.

—Eastern Theater, Shenandoah Valley Campaign - Stonewall Jackson, now reinforced by Gen. Allegheny Johnson’s brigade, marches rapidly westward over the mountains to the small hamlet of McDowell, where Robert Milroy’s Federal brigade is camped. Milroy is becoming aware that Jackson has more men with him than had been assumed, and he sends to Fremont for help and reinforcements. Gen. Robert Schenker begins a march with his brigade to help Milroy. As the Rebels approach, Milroy shells their advance with his artillery, and then retreats, leaving his baggage train behind. That evening, Jackson enters McDowell, and Milroy camps a little further west.