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Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Beaver Dam Creek

1862 Seven Days' Battles

 
 
Beaver Dam Creek Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 6, 2010
1. Beaver Dam Creek Marker
Inscription. (left panel)
Visiting Richmond National Battlefield Park
The concentration of Civil War resources found in the Richmond area is unparalleled. The National Park Service manages 13 sites, giving visitors an opportunity to examine the battlefield landscapes, to hear the stories of the combatants and civilian residents, and to understand the complex reasons why Richmond came to symbolize the heart and soul of the Confederacy.

Regulations
This is a partial list of park regulations. Site is open sunrise to sunset. Report suspicious activities to any park employee or call 804-795-5018. In emergencies call 911.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
All natural and cultural resources are protected by law.
Relic hunting is prohibited. Possession of a metal detector in the park is illegal.
Hunting, trapping, feeding, or otherwise disturbing wildlife is prohibited.
Weapons are prohibited inside all park buildings.
Pets must be on a leash.
Recreation activities like kite-flying, ball-playing, and frisbee throwing are prohibited.
Motor vehicles and bicycles must remain on established roads.

(right panel)
1862 Seven Days’ Battles

No military campaign had more influence on the course of the Civil War than these Seven
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Days’ battles. George B. McClellan’s army of more than 100,000 Union soldiers landed at Fort Monroe in spring of 1862, and fought its way up the peninsula. By mid-May the Army of the Potomac lay on the outskirts of Richmond, hoping to capture the capital of the Confederacy and perhaps end the war. If that strategy succeeded the nation might be reunified, but without abolition of slavery. Confederate General Robert E. Lee chose not to wait for the Federal army’s next move. Instead he seized the initiative, and on June 26 advanced across the Chickahominy River with nearly 45,000 soldiers. That action opened a week-long series of battles that resulted in the Union army retreating to the banks of the James River. With Richmond secure, Lee’s army moved north, defeated Union forces at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas (Bull Run), and then marched toward Maryland and the first invasion of the North.

June 26
Lee massed much of his own Confederate army at Chickahominy Bluff and surged over the river in a combined operation with Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson.

Beaver Dam Creek
Later that afternoon Lee’s men struck a well positioned piece of the Federal army at Beaver Dam Creek. His attack failed, but Jackson’s presence above the creek forced McClellan’s men away overnight.

June 27
McClellan decided to move
1862 Seven Days' Battles image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2010
2. 1862 Seven Days' Battles
to a new base on the James River, but his rearguard at Gaines’ Mill barely escaped destruction when Lee’s Confederates launched an all-out attack, triggering the second and largest battle of the Seven Days.

June 28
McClellan organized his retreat and achieved a head start in what would become a race to the James River. Meanwhile, Lee shifted from protecting Richmond to pursuing and defeating the Union army. A Confederate probe at Gouldin’s Farm, south of the Chickahominy River, produced a small battle.

June 29
Lee pushed his men forward against the Union army’s rear at Savage’s Station, on the Richmond & York River Railroad. The inconclusive battle there produced 1,400 casualties and temporarily slowed the progress of McClellan’s retreat.

June 30
Confederate columns pursued the Union army. A vicious battle at Glendale (or Frayser’s Farm) gave Lee his best opportunity of the campaign, but the determined resistance of McClellan’s subordinates kept the line of retreat open.

July 1
McClellan’s army took up a strong defensive position atop Malvern Hill. Poorly coordinated Confederate attacks resulted in a decisive Union victory.

July 2
The Confederates pursued the Northern army to its new base at Harrison’s Landing. Lee determined no offensive opportunities remained,
Beaver Dam Creek image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2010
3. Beaver Dam Creek
and ended his campaign to drive foe away from Richmond, concluding the Seven Days’ battles.
 
Erected 2010 by Richmond National Battlefield Park.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1952.
 
Location. 37° 35.734′ N, 77° 21.549′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156). This marker is located in the Beaver Dam Creek unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7423 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee’s First Strike (a few steps from this marker); Historic Cold Harbor Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Holding the High Ground (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Beaver Dam Creek (about 300 feet away); Site of Ellerson’s Mill (about 300 feet away); Ellerson's Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seven Days Battles (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Seven Days Battles (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.
 
More about this marker. On the left panel is a map of Civil War sites managed by the
Beaver Dam Creek north of Rt 156 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009
4. Beaver Dam Creek north of Rt 156
Richmond National Battlefield Park.

On the right panel is a map of the Federal advance up the Peninsula and a map of the Seven Days’ Battles.
 
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, June 26, 1862. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.) 

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “Beaver Dam Creek” (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.) 
 
Mechanicsville, Va. Ellerson's mill image. Click for full size.
Photographed By John Reekie, circa Apr 1865
5. Mechanicsville, Va. Ellerson's mill
Library of Congress [LC-B815- 920]
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,575 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.

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Mar. 19, 2024