Skirmish at Slash Church, VA., Highwater Mark for General McClellan...

5fish

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It seems some think this was the turning point of General McClellan's failed Peninsular Campaign...


Slash Church, also known as the Upper Church-St. Paul's Parish is a historic Disciples of Christ Church, formerly an Anglican/Episcopal church located at 11353 Mt. Hermon Road, Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia. Built of southern yellow pine cut from the property in 1729–30, it is the oldest frame house of worship still in use in Virginia.

During the American Civil War, on May 26–27, 1862, Confederate Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch (a former U.S. Representative from North Carolina who would die six months later at the Battle of Antietam)[7] used it as his headquarters with 4500 soldiers (and later as a hospital, together with three local homes). Two battles sometimes collectively called the "Battle of Slash Church" were Union victories, although the Peninsular Campaign failed. When old trees were cut down in the 1950s, bullets were found, believed to be from those battles.[3]Slash celebrates its history with an event on the grounds every five years. Most recently, the church celebrated its 285th anniversary on September 14, 2014. The public is invited to attend services and events and schedule historic tours
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Here is the Battle called a skirmish....


The Battle of Hanover Court House, also known as the Battle of Slash Church, took place on May 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. On May 27, elements of Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter's V Corps extended north to protect the right flank of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Union Army of the Potomac. Porter's objective was to deal with a Confederate force near Hanover Court House, which threatened the avenue of approach for Union reinforcements that were marching south from Fredericksburg. The smaller Confederate force, under Colonel Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, was defeated at Peake's Crossing after a disorganized fight. The Union victory was moot, however, for the Union reinforcements were recalled to Fredericksburg upon word of Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks's rout in the Shenandoah Valley at First Winchester.

snip...

General McClellan claimed that Hanover Court House was yet another "glorious victory over superior numbers" and judged that it was "one of the handsomest things of the war."[8] However, the reality of the outcome was that superior (Union) numbers won the day in a disorganized fight, characterized by misjudgments on both sides. The right flank of the Union army remained secure, although technically the Confederates at Peake's Crossing had not intended to threaten it. And McDowell's Corps did not need its roads kept clear because it never arrived—the defeat of Union forces at the First Battle of Winchester by Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley caused the Lincoln administration to recall McDowell to Fredericksburg. The estimates of Union casualties vary, from 355 (62 killed, 233 wounded, 70 captured) to 397. The Confederates left 200 dead and wounded on the field and 730 were captured by Porter's cavalry.[9]
A greater impact than the actual casualties, according to historian Stephen W. Sears, was the effect on McClellan's preparedness for the next major battle, at Seven Pines and Fair Oaks four days later.
During the absence of Porter, McClellan was reluctant to move more of his troops south of the Chickahominy, making his left flank a more attractive target for Johnston.
 

5fish

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Here is a book on the topic...


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summary:

One year into the Civil War, beset by military and political pressures, General George B. McClellan committed his Army of the Potomac to the Peninsula Campaign, with the capture of Richmond his ultimate goal. Hampered by Lincoln's demand for troops to protect Washington, a limited Union Army entered a series of battles around the community of Hanover Court House, Virginia. Although they forced a Confederate retreat, they missed the opportunity to press on and capture Richmond--an opportunity that never came again. Here is the first detailed look at the battle most widely known as Hanover Court House and Slash Church, focusing on the engagements between Union V Corps commander Fitz John Porter and Confederate General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch. Photographs are included, along with appendices featuring the official reports of both commanders and lists of casualties from both sides
 

5fish

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Here is a summary...


In Virginia, the situation there demanded that more troops be dispatched to help defend Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, from advancing Union troops. On May 4, 1862, Major General Branch's Brigade which included the 7th Regiment were ordered to Gordonsville, VA. They then were moved to the foot hills of the Shenandoah Valley. But upon arriving, they were sent back to Hanover County Courthouse.
Here, the Unit performed picket duty and observed the right flank of the Union Army under the command of George B. McClellan, who was in front of Richmond and the Federal force at Fredericksburg, VA. On May 25, 26 & 27, 1862, Slash Church became the headquarters for Confederate Brig. Gen. L. OB Branch. Two battles in the vicinity on May 27, one on Mr. Kinney's land (now the old Cross home), the other at Peake's Turnout (Va. Central Railroad lines near Lebanon Church) resulted in a victory for the Union. 12,000 Union forces (led by Gen. Porter) vs. 4500 Confederate (North Carolina) troops (Gen. Branch & Anderson) fought twice in one day after marching through the rain the night of the 25th. Local roads used were New Bridge Road (now Hillcrest Church Road - no longer goes over a bridge) and Taliaferro's Mill Road (now River Road). Two local homes and Slash Church were used as hospitals for the over 300 wounded (both sides total casualties include wounded, killed & taken prisoner of 1,000). Old trees cut on north side of Slash around 1950's contained bullets from these battles. This encounter became known as the Battle of Slash Church in the South and the battle of Hanover Courthouse in the North. Slash was also used as a schoolhouse during the week by the 1830's or 1840's. Peake's Turnout (former address of Slash), mail drop and general store are still available to view today, though the general store is boarded up and the road has been renamed Peakes Road. The7th Regiment was placed in a reserve status during the battle at Hanover County Courthouse and saw little action in a rear guard status as General Branch withdrew his army to Ashland, VA. During this campaign, the 7th Regiment lost 2 killed, 4 wounded and 2 missing.
 
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