The Battle of Seven Pines arose during the Peninsula Campaign, where Union forces under Major General George B. McClellan tried to capture Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy. In late May and early June 1862, McClellan's troops moved closer to the city, prompting a response from the Confederate leaders. General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, planned a surprise attack against the Union forces stationed at Fair Oaks Station, northwest of Richmond, to exploit the Union's perceived vulnerability.

The battle commenced on May 31 and escalated into intense fighting, with the Confederates managing to catch Union forces by surprise. However, the Union troops quickly regrouped and strengthened their positions. Combat continued into June 1, with both armies suffering significant casualties. Johnston was severely wounded during the fighting, which impacted Confederate leadership. The battle ended without a decisive victory for either side, with both claiming some level of achievement to bolster morale.

Despite the inconclusive outcome, the battle influenced the subsequent engagements in the Peninsula Campaign. Union forces entrenched themselves and fortified their position near Richmond, while Confederate commanders reassessed their strategies in light of developing events. While the battle did not alter the Confederate hold on Richmond, the heavy losses on both sides foreshadowed the brutalities to come in the Civil War. This engagement also marked a shift in military tactics as both sides began to realize the importance of logistics and reconnaissance in warfare.