Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Seven Days Battles

Porter’s Withdrawal

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, 1597/VA/64

1. Porter’s Withdrawal Marker

Inscription. Along this road Fitz-John Porter withdrew from Beaver Dam Creek in the early morning of June 27, 1862. McClellan, having learned that Stonewall Jackson was approaching Porter’s rear, late at night ordered the withdrawal to another position. This was on Boatswain Creek, not far from New Cold Harbor.

Erected 1932 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number PA-8.)

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 June 27, 1861.

Location. 37° 35.954′ N, 77° 20.831′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156) and Bell Creek Road ( Route 1597), on the right when traveling east on Cold Harbor Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ellerson's Mill (approx. half a mile away); Site of Ellerson’s Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Holding the High Ground (approx. 0.7 miles away); Beaver Dam Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); Historic Cold Harbor Road (approx.

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0.7 miles away); Lee’s First Strike (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Beaver Dam Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Days Battles (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Pennsylvanians Stand Firm (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Creek Runs Red (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Beaver Dam Creek (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); The Confederates Attack (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Beaver Dam Creek. CWSAC Battle Summaries website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Seven Days Battle. HistoryCentral.com website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Beaver Dam Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

2. Beaver Dam Creek

Despite turning back the Confederate assault at this location on June 26, 1862, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter and his V Corps were ordered to retreat from this position.

Gaines's Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

3. Gaines's Mill

Porter's troops fell back to this position after the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek on June 26, 1862.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,309 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.