Battle of Hanover Court House

Battle of Hanover Court House Slash Church Began: May 27, 1862 Ended: Same day Location: Hanover County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Peninsula Campaign Outcome: Union victory Combatants Commanders Fitz John Porter Brigadier General, USA Lawrence O'Bryan Branch Brigadier General, CSA Strength 12,000 4.000 Casualties 397 930
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On May 27, 1862, elements of Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps extended north to protect the right flank of McClellan’s Union army that now straddled the Chickahominy River. Porter’s objective was to cut the railroad and to open the Telegraph Road for Union reinforcements under Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell that were marching south from Fredericksburg. Confederate forces, attempting to prevent this maneuver, were defeated just south of Hanover Courthouse after a stiff fight. The Union victory was moot, however, for McDowell’s reinforcements were recalled to Fredericksburg upon word of Banks’s rout at First Winchester. (NPS summary)