With the fall of Yorktown on May 3, 1862, the Confederates werein a mass retreat as Union forces under the command of MajorGeneral George B. McClellan began their pursuit of theConfederates. The Rebels were under heavy fire and a courier soughtout General Longstreet in order to have him send reinforcements toaid General Magruder. The courier located Longstreet where he hadmade his headquarters at the College of William and Mary. As anaside, the College of William and Mary is the second oldest collegein the US. It was founded in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1693. It wasthe first college to create a law school.