Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Gaines’ Mill
Richmond Battlefield
— Richmond Nat’l Battlefield Pk – 1862/64 —
The Battle of Gaines’ Mill is notable as Lee’s first major victory of the Civil War. It also illustrated that direct frontal assaults, while costly, did not always fail. General Fitz John Porter’s Fifth Corps suffered 6,000 casualties in defense of this extended ridge, and Lee’s army sustained 9,000 causalities. Gaines’ Mill proved to be a landmark battle in several respects. It produced soaring confidence among
Southern soldiers and civilians. It also showed that Civil War battles had the potential for greater violence and destruction than previously supposed.
Touring the Battlefield
The site of Confederate General John B. Hood’s Texas Brigade’s decisive breakthrough point can be reached by following this trail. Along the way are surviving rifle pits, artillery positions, and a monument to an Alabama brigade that played a significant role in the attack on June 27, 1862. The historic Watt House, standing nearby, is not open to the public.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1481.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 34.464′ N, 77° 17.45′ W. Marker was in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker was 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 was in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
location. The Battle of Gaines’ Mill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Gaines' Mill (a few steps from this marker); Seven Days Battles (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Gaines' Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Watt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Springfield Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee’s First Victory: At a Huge Cost (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Pursuit (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker features a map of Richmond National Battlefield Park, with the location of Gaines’ Mill indicated. The bottom right of the marker contains a battle map of the fighting at Gaines’ Mill.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Gaines' Mill".
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. The Seven Days Battle. HistoryCentral.com website. (Submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
4. Gaines' Mill Podcast. 8-stop, 1.5-mile walking tour narrated by NPS historian, Robert Krick.
(Submitted on February 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,534 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 3, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on February 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.