Sandston in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fair Oaks Station

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. Fair Oaks Station Marker

Confederate Commanding General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded near here on May 31, 1862, and was replaced by Gen. Robert E. Lee. Lee remained in command for the duration of the war.

Inscription. This intersection of the Richmond and York River Railroad with the Nine Mile Road became one of Henrico County’s best-known landmarks during the Civil War. Fair Oaks Station lay on the north side of the junction. As part of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate attack at Seven Pines on 31 May 1862, his troops under Brig. Gen. Richard H. Anderson passed here as they assaulted the Union right. On 29 June 1862, an innovative Confederate artillery piece was pushed past the intersection by a locomotive and used during the Battle of Savage’s Station. It consisted of a siege gun mounted on a flatcar behind a shield of rails. This was the first use of railroad artillery in warfare.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars • 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 May 31, 1862.

Location. 37° 31.836′ N, 77° 18.797′ W. Marker is in Sandston, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is on E Nine Mile Road (Virginia Route 33), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sandston VA 23150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Second Day at Seven Pines (here, next to this marker); Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named McClellan's First Line (approx. half a mile away); Sandston (approx. half a mile away); Site of the First Public Library in Henrico County (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Pines (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sandston.

Other markers no longer nearby. McClellan’s First Line (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Seven Pines (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines). Civil War Battles website. (Submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Seven Pines. Detailed information of the Seven Pines battle. (Submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. Virtual Tour by Markers of the Battle of Seven Pines. This is one of several markers describing the actions of May

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31 - June 1, 1862. (Submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,259 times since then and 63 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.