Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Williamsburg (American Civil War).

Fought May 5, 1862, between the Confederates, under General Magruder, and the Federals, under General M’Clellan. Magruder occupied a very strong position and held the Federals at bay throughout the day, but being greatly outnumbered, withdrew during the night. The Federals lost 2,228 killed, wounded and missing, the Confederate loss being much smaller.