The First Of The Seven Days

The Battle of Oak Grove in Virginia was the first of the Seven Days’ Battles which began on June 25th 1862.

Oak Grove was an important location for the siege of Richmond during the Peninsula campaign. Union Major General George B McClellan advanced his line on June 25th 1862 along the Williamsburg Road, with the plan of getting his guns in range of Richmond, Virginia. McClellan’s troops attacked over swampy ground, with darkness ending the fighting. The battle wasn't strong enough to stop the Confederate offensive, and the next day Confederate General Robert E Lee attacked Union troops at Mechanicville.

The Union troops at Oak Grove advanced less than a mile at a cost of 626 dead, wounded and missing, with Joseph Hooker’s division baring the brunt of the attack. The Confederate losses were 441.

A Boston Irishman

Union Colonel Thomas Cass died July 12^th 1862 from wound he received eleven days earlier at the Battle of Malvern Hill.

Thomas Cass was born about 1821 in Farmly, Queen, Ireland.  He came to America with his parent, who settled in the North End of Boston.  Cass attended a local school before learning the trade of currier.  He joined his father in business.  Cass was a member of the Columbian Artillery and was Captain of Company B.

When the Civil War started Cass became a Colonel in the 9^th Massachusetts Infantry on June 11^th 1861.  The 9^th was mostly made up of Irish Americans and started off bivouacked at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.  They moved to the Washington, DC area on June 30^th 1861, where they built forts for the protection of the city and performed picket duty.  Cass and the 9^th saw some of their first combat at the Battle of Mechanicsville, and Gaines Mill.

On July 1^st 1862 at the Battle of Malvern Hill Cass received a head wound.  Following the battle Cass was moved to his home in Boston, MA, where he died from his wounds July 12^th 1862.  He is buried at the Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston, MA.

If you are looking for more information, take a look at STATUE OF COL. THOMAS CASS.; Unveiled at Boston Yesterday to Replace One Removed