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Battle of Williamsburg
Emory’s Failed Advance
— 1862 Peninsula Campaign —
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By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Battle of Williamsburg Marker | | |
Inscription. As the May 5, 1862, Battle of Williamsburg raged along the Bloody Ravine and in front of Fort Magruder, the Union commander sought to turn the flank of the Confederate defenses. Gen. Joseph Hooker was convinced that the right flank was unoccupied and sent an engineer officer, Lt. Miles D. McAlester, to scout the Confederate position. McAlester reached Quarterpath Road near Allen’s Wharf and discovered that Redoubt 1 here at Tutter’s Mill Pond indeed appeared empty. He also reported that Quarterpath Road was an excellent approach to the Confederate rear. When Hooker and Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelmen received this news, they dispatched Gen. William H. Emory with his cavalry brigade to Quarterpath Road, ordered him to await reinforcements and then lead an assault on the flank.
The 3rd and 4th Maine Infantry regiments, consisting of approximately 2,000 men, joined Emory near Allen’s Wharf, where the rain-soaked advance began at 3:30 p.m. When Emory reached Whitaker’s Mill Pond, he sent part of Col. William W. Averell’s cavalry up Quarterpath Road to reconnoiter. The patrol reported that it found Redoubt 1 unoccupied, but after “considerable deliberation,” Emory decided to call off the advance because of “the nature of the locality, the lateness of the hour, and the want of a guide.” While an attack | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Marker in in Redoubt Park | | |
could have turned the Confederate flank here, the Williamsburg engagement was already coming to its dramatic conclusion at Redoubt 11 (located in York County near New Quarter Park).
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 37° 15.437′ N, 76° 40.992′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Quarterpath Road, on the left when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is located in Redoubt Park on Quarterpath Road in Williamsburg. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quarterpath Road (a few steps from this marker); Redoubt 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending the Peninsula (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Williamsburg in the Civil War (about 400 feet away); History of Fort Magruder (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Williamsburg (approx. half a mile away); Peninsula Campaign (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Quarterpath Road (approx. half a mile away). Click for a list of all markers in Williamsburg.
More about this marker. | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Virginia Civil War Trails Marker | | The earthworks of Redoubt 1 can be seen behind the marker. | | |
The marker contains an Alfred R. Waud sketch of “Hooker’s division engaging at Williamsburg from Union lines." There are also photographs of Gen. William H. Emory and Gen. Joseph Hooker. All pictures are courtesy of Library of Congress. The marker also contains a battle map showing troop movements and the location of Confederate fortifications.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers on the walking trail of Williamsburg’s Redoubt Park.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Williamsburg, 5 May 1862. Williamsburg was the first large battlefield encounter between Union and Confederate forces during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. (Submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. The Peninsula Campaign of 1862. (Submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
3. Tidewater Virginia, The 1862 Peninsula Campaign. Civil War Traveler. (Submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
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By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Battle of Williamsburg Marker | | The marker is located in the middle of Confederate fortifications that were part of their Third Line of Defense on the Peninsula. | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 5. Redoubt Park in Williamsburg | | This park on Quarterpath Road contains a walking path that traverses the Confederate fortifications. Several Civil War Trails signs are found along the path. | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, August 10, 2008 | |
| | | 6. Battle Map from Marker | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,118 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.
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