Battle of Seven Pines/Fair Oaks Disaster Avoided or Lost Opportunity? For most students of the Civil War, the only factor they can recall of the May 31, 1862, Battle of Seven Pines/Fair Oaks, is that the battle resulted in Confederate General Robert E. Lee rising into command of Confederate armies in the east. What many fail to realize is just how close the Confederacy came to complete victory and how the battle became a near disaster for Union General George B. McClellan. Be it a disaster avoided or a lost opportunity, the fact remains the Battle of Seven Pines/Fair Oaks remains one of the most mis-understood battles of the American Civil War.  
 
Author/historian Victor Vignola’s lively presentation explores the topic in detail. His first book Contrasts in Command: The Battle of Fair Oaks – May 31 – June 1, 1862, has received high praise. So stunning is the success of Contrasts in Command, it has earned recognition as receiving the coveted 2023 Fletcher Pratt Award. In addition, the American Battlefield Trust also recognized Contrasts as a Finalist for the 2023 Best Military History Book, while Civil War Books and Authors, an independent review journal of Civil War historiography, included Contrasts in their list of Top 10 Books for 2023. Vignola’s research while developing Contrasts directly led to preserving a twelve-acre parcel of hallowed ground where the Fair Oaks fighting occurred. That parcel remains the only preserved ground for the entire Seven Pines/Fair Oaks battlefield. His work continues as he is completing a book on the Battle of Seven Pines.

His previous presentation of Part 1 (April 24) can be seen on the NJCWRT YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/nL26YXlO8sg

The NJCWRT has been getting together for 25 years, meets 9 times a year, and averages 100 attendees.

Zoom only! Chat Room: 6:30.  

Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84359798645?pwd=WAfb7h2uXPaG29bLX6AlxvU2LfWqUA.1

OR Request link at: NJCivilWarRT@aol.com

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