The Seven Days Battles were a series of battles fought between the Army of Northern Virginia (CSA) and the Army of the Potomac (USA) during the American Civil War. The battles were fought between June 25 and July 1, 1862. The Union forces under MG George B. McClellan had advanced up the peninsula between the York River and the James River in Virginia. They reached the outskirts of the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA.  The Confederates halted this advance at the Battle of Fair Oaks, May 31- 1 June 1862 (also call Seven Pines).  The battle was inconclusive and the two armies remained in position for almost another month. The most important outcome of the battle was that Gen. Robert E. Lee took command of the Confederate army after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was wounded during the battle. This would be the largest Confederate army fielded during the war.

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Most of the battles were fought by portions of the armies because of poor communications and poor judgment by the officers involved. MG Jackson's lack of activity during the battles has never been fully explained. MG McClellan did not effectively direct his Corps commanders during operations being accused by some historians of dereliction of duty.