Beaver Dam Creek

Beaver Dam Creek. Richmond Battlefield. General Robert E. Lee’s plan on June 26, 1862 did not anticipate a direct assault on the Union position here at Beaver Dam Creek. He hoped to maneuver instead of force to drive Fitz John Porter’s troops away from their powerful entrenchments. But Lee’s carefully crafted plan fell apart. Poor coordination among his various columns caused delays. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s 20,000 men were not able to get into position north of here, above Beaver Dam Creek, before sunset. With most of his Confederate army on this side of the Chickahominy River, Lee worried about the safety of Richmond, where only 25,000 of his soldiers manned the fortifications, facing about 75,000 Union soldiers., Fearful that McClellan might hurl the bulk of his army directly at Richmond, Lee determined to engage Porter at Beaver Dam Creek. The resulting action proved to be a costly diversion. Today the creek at this spot is much wider and swampier than in 1862, and heavy woods obscure the lofty ridge occupied by Porter’s men on the eastern side of the stream., Touring the Battlefield , The national park preserves battlefield ground occupied by soldiers from both armies. Take the footbridge over Beaver Dam Creek and learn about the heaviest fighting of the battle. The bridge crosses the creek at the same spot as the 1862 bridge. Along the way signs help to illustrate the strength of the Union position. The site of Ellerson’s Mill (a wartime landmark) also is visible. The entire walk is only one-quarter mile long.