North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Peninsula Campaign Warwick River

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. Peninsula Campaign Warwick River Marker

Inscription. Following the 10 June 1861 Battle of Big Bethel, Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, commander of the Confederate Army of the Peninsula, organized the construction of three defensive lines of fortifications across the peninsula. The main line extended 12 miles from Yorktown to the Warwick River and downstream to Lee’s Mill, then westward to Skiffes Creek, which flowed into the James River at the Mulberry Island Point battery. When Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan began his Peninsula Campaign to capture Richmond, the Warwick River fortifications blocked the progress of Army of the Potomac on 5 April 1862. McClellan ordered a siege that lasted from 5 April to 4 May 1962.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1862.

Location. 37° 10.91′ N, 76° 32.175′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. Marker is on Constitution Way, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Newport News Park, in the north end of the parking lot at the Discovery Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mott’s Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Dam No. 1 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1) (about 400 feet away); Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (about 400 feet away); Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber (about 400 feet away); Custer’s Covered Way (about 500 feet away); One-Gun Battery (approx. ¼ mile away); “Their Conduct was Worthy of Veterans” (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers on the Two Forts Walking Trail in Newport News Park.

Additional commentary.
1. Old Marker
This marker replaced a previous W-62 with the same title, placed 4 miles southeast of Denbigh on Route 337. The old marker read, A short distance west of this road is Warwick River, on the west side of which, extending to Yorktown, John B. Magruder built fortifications in January and February, 1862.

— Submitted August 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Marker in in Newport News Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Marker in in Newport News Park

Warwick River Fortifications image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. Warwick River Fortifications

These earthworks were part of the first defensive line built by the Confederates to span the the peninsula early in the Civil War. They are located in Newport News Park, near the marker.

Site of Battle of Dam No. 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

4. Site of Battle of Dam No. 1

This bridge over the Lee Hall Reservoir was the site of the only major offensive made by McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. It is located just west of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,808 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.