Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Seven Days Battles
Gaines’s Mill
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
1. Seven Days Battles Marker
Along the slopes of Boatswain Creek, facing north and west, extended Porter’s position in the afternoon of June 27, 1862. The line was held by Sykes’s division facing north, and Morell’s facing west. Later McCall was thrown in to assist Morell. At dark Lee broke the Union line, and Porter retreated across the Chickahominy.
Erected 1932 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number PA-25.)
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, 1866.
Location. 37° 34.444′ N, 77° 17.451′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Watt House Road (Virginia Route 718), on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the Gaines’ Mill Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. 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: Gaines' Mill (a few steps from this marker); The Watt House (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Gaines’ Mill (a few steps from this marker); Springfield Plantation (a few steps from this
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Watt Family Farm (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Gaines’ Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Gaines’ Mill. CWSAC Battle Summaries website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Places To Go in Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. Gaines’ Mill. CWSAC Battle Summaries website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
2. Marker on Gaines’ Mill Battlefield
The house in the background is the Watt House, where Union Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter made his headquarters duing the battle. The marker can be seen in this photo behind the fence above the cannon on the left.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
3. Gaines’ Mill Battlefield
This was the site of the Union line overlooking Boatswain Creek. It was broken by Confederate troops during the Battle of Gaines's Mill on June 27, 1862. This battle saw the heaviest fighting of any of the Seven Days Battles.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
4. Richmond National Battlefield Park
Marker is in the Gaines’ Mill Battlefield Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,660 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
