McClellan’s First Line

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. McClellan’s First Line Marker

Inscription. Union Brig. Gen. Silas Casey held both sides of the road here on 31 May 1862, in Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s first defensive line at Seven Pines. Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston ordered a dawn attack, but his lieutenants acted slowly. Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill waited with his division about a mile west of here for the sound of gunfire to the south that was his signal to move. Exasperated by the delay, he assaulted on his own at 1 P.M. and smashed through Casey’s position to McClellan’s second line, but a lack of support combined with the arrival of fresh Union troops halted the attack. That evening, Johnston fell wounded and Gen. Robert E. Lee replaced him the next day.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-5.)

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 May 31, 1862.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 31.405′ N, 77° 18.902′ W. Marker was in Sandston, Virginia, in Henrico County. It was on West Williamsburg Road (U.S. 60) west of J.B. Finley

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Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 30 W Williamsburg Rd, Sandston VA 23150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named McClellan's First Line (here, next to this marker); Battlefield of Seven Pines (here, next to this marker); Sandston (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the First Public Library in Henrico County (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Pines (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battlefield of Seven Pines (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sandston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Seven Pines (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement Marker At This Location also titled "McClellan's First Line".

Also see . . .
1. Seven Pines. CWSAC Battle Summaries website. (Submitted on December 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Battle of Seven Pines Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 5, 2003

2. Battle of Seven Pines Markers

Two markers are found at this location.

2. The Battle of Seven Pines. Detailed information of the Seven Pines battle. (Submitted on December 9, 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 31 - June 1, 1862. (Submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,360 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.