North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1)
April 16, 1862
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
1. Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1) Marker
A stalwart defense of the Warwick River by units of the 15th North Carolina, 7th Georgia and 2nd Louisiana Infantry, C.S.A., commanded by General J.B. Magruder is commemorated here. The defensive line extending across the Virginia Peninsula was held under Federal fire during April 1862 by the numerically superior Army of the Potomac under General G.B. McClellan. At the Battle of Lee’s Mill (also called Battle of Dam No. 1) companies of the 3rd, 4th and 6th Vermont Infantry twice succeeded in crossing the river to breach the line at this point, but were repulsed, suffering new casualties. The line held until May 4th, 1862 when Confederate positions were evacuated in a general withdrawal towards Williamsburg. This resolute stand at Lee’s Mill slowed the Union advance by a full month, contributing to the ultimate failure of the Federal Peninsula Campaign to take Richmond. Twenty Confederates, including Colonel William McKinney Commander of the 15th North Carolina, gave their lives.Bottom Plaque:
Battlefield Site
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United
this page online
Department of the Interior
Erected 1967 by Daughters of the Confederacy, Bethel Chapter.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1862.
Location. 37° 10.969′ N, 76° 32.196′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. Marker is on Constitution Way, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in Newport News Park, near 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Dam No. 1 (here, next to this marker); Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Peninsula Campaign Warwick River (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber (about 400 feet away); Mott’s Battery (about 400 feet away); Custer’s Covered Way (approx. 0.2 miles away); One-Gun Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Their Conduct was Worthy of Veterans” (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Related markers. Click here for a
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
2. Marker in Newport News Park
Also see . . . Battle of Yorktown (1862). Entry on Wikipedia describing the Battle of Dam Number One. (Submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
3. Site of Dam Number 1
This location, now the Lee Hall Reservoir, was where the Vermont Infantry crossed the river on April 16, 1862 to attack the 15th North Carolina. This battle was the only major attempt to break through the Confederate defenses during the Peninsula Campaign.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,454 times since then and 199 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
