The Civil War Sesquicentennial

Page 22

YORKTOWN

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n April 17th, Gen. Joe Johnston arrived on the Peninsula to assume command of the Confederate forces. Surveying the sparsely manned Warwick Line, he wrote, “No one but McClellan could have hesitated to attack.” It was clear that “Little Mac” was preparing for a devastating bombardment of Yorktown. Federal troops continued for the next two weeks to build emplacements for their massive guns. While the Confederate numbers were now up to about 54,000, they were still outnumbered 2 to 1, and the Federal artillery was far superior. Johnston reported to President Jefferson Davis, “The fight for Yorktown must be one of artillery, in which we cannot win.” –– Joli Huelskamp

22 | CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL


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