Yorktown, Va. Headquarters Of Gen. John B. Magruder (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Yorktown, Virginia serves as the headquarters of General John B. Magruder during the U.S. Civil War. A strategically important location, Yorktown is situated along the Virginia Peninsula, approximately 60 miles east of Richmond, the Confederate capital at that time. General John Bankhead Magruder was a prominent Confederate Army officer during the American Civil War. He served as a division and corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee. Known for his ability to build complex defensive works, Magruder's most notable achievement is the successful defense of Yorktown against Union forces led by Major General George B. McClellan in 1862. The Battle of Yorktown, fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, was a significant turning point in the Peninsula Campaign. Although Magruder was relieved of his command after the battle due to alleged mismanagement of supplies and failure to attack McClellan's forces when they were weakened, his defense of Yorktown held off the Union advance long enough for Confederate forces to withdraw from the area without complete destruction. Today, Yorktown is part of the Historic Triangle in Virginia, which also includes Williamsburg and Jamestown. The town features several historic sites, including the Battlefield of Yorktown, Yorktown National Cemetery, and a well-preserved Colonial-era section known as the Yorktown Victory Center. Visitors can learn about the strategic importance of the area during the Civil War and gain insights into the lives of the soldiers who fought there.