Lee Hall in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lee’s Mill

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. Lee’s Mill Marker

Inscription. Lee’s Mill, a pre-war tide mill, formed part of Confederate Maj. Gen. John Bankhead Magruder’s second Peninsula defensive line. When Union Gen. George B. McClellan began his Peninsula Campaign, his advance against Richmond was blocked here on 5 April 1862. Elements of the Union IV Corps led by Brig. Gen. William F. Smith skirmished with Confederates commanded by Brig. Gen. Lafayette McLaws at Lee’s Mill. The Federals believed that the extensive defenses could only be taken with heavy casualties, and Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan besieged Yorktown from 3 April to 3 May 1862 rather than assault the fortifications.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-58.)

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° 9.903′ N, 76° 33.929′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Lee Hall. Marker is on Rivers Ridge Circle, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Lee’s Mill Historic Park, off of Warwick Blvd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 Rivers Ridge Circle, Newport News VA 23608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Battle of Lee’s Mill (a few steps from this marker); Fortification Design (within shouting distance of this marker); The Warwick-Yorktown Line (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of Lee’s Mill (about 500 feet away); Union Occupation (about 600 feet away); The Warwick River (about 600 feet away); Lee’s Mill Earthworks (approx. 0.3 miles away); Air Cushion Vehicle, SK-5 (approx. half a mile 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 along the walking trail in Lee’s Mill Historic Park.

Also see . . . The Peninsula Campaign. (Submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Additional commentary.
1. Old Marker
This marker replaced a previous W-58 with the same title which stood 2 miles southeast of Lee Hall on Route 337. It read, A short distance north of this road across the reservoir is the site of the ancient Lee's Mill. This side road leads to the Miles Curtis farm, where, in April and May, 1862, officers of McClellan's army made balloon observations.

— Submitted
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Marker in Lee’s Mill Historic Park
This site was the scene of an engagement on April 5, 1862 between advancing Union troops and entrenched Confederates. The earthworks here were so intimidating to the Federals that their strategy was switched from an attack to a siege.
August 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Lee’s Mill Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. Lee’s Mill Markers

Two markers are found at this location. Several more are found along a trail that begins here.

Earthworks at Lee's Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

4. Earthworks at Lee's Mill

These earthworks located south of the marker are part of the second Peninsula defensive line.

Lee’s Mill Historic Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

5. Lee’s Mill Historic Park

This park, located in the Lee's Mill housing complex off Warwick Blvd., contains a trail that passes a series of earthworks on the Warwick River.

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 1,653 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.