Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
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Gaines’ Mill
Richmond Battlefield
— Richmond Nat’l Battlefield Pk – 1862/64 —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
1. Gaines’ Mill Marker
Inscription.
Gaines’ Mill. Richmond Battlefield. The action here on June 27, 1862, was the second-largest battle in American history up to that time. One day earlier General Robert E. Lee had pried the Union Fifth Corps from its position at Beaver Dam Creek. Here he brought 65,000 Confederate soldiers to bear against that same corps, which stood on this ground with its back less than two miles from the Chichahominy River and with its front protected by the steep ravine of Boatswain Creek. A vigorous defense by the Union Fifth Corps repulsed several Confederate attacks until very late in the day, when a determined assault across a two-mile front succeeded in breaking the Federal line in two places. Sunset saved the Fifth Corps from possible destruction on the banks of the river., 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. . This historical marker was erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service. It is in Mechanicsville in Hanover County Virginia
The action here on June 27, 1862, was the second-largest battle in American history up to that time. One day earlier General Robert E. Lee had pried the Union Fifth Corps from its position at Beaver Dam Creek. Here he brought 65,000 Confederate soldiers to bear against that same corps, which stood on this ground with its back less than two miles from the Chichahominy River and with its front protected by the steep ravine of Boatswain Creek. A vigorous defense by the Union Fifth Corps repulsed several Confederate attacks until very late in the day, when a determined assault across a two-mile front succeeded in breaking the Federal line in two places. Sunset saved the Fifth Corps from possible destruction on the banks of the river.
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
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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
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
2. Gaines’ Mill Battlefield
Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter' Fifth Corp established a line here, overlooking the banks of the Boatswain Creek. The Watt House in the background was Porter's headquarters during the battle.
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.)
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.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
3. Gaines’ Mill Battlefield
This was the position of the Union artillery during June 27, 1862 Battle of Gaines' Mill. The line was broken by the Confederates late in the day.
(Submitted on February 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
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.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
5. Gaines’ Mill Battle Map from Marker
The climax of the battle saw the Union defenders overwhelmed across a two-mile front by surging Confederate infantry.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
6. Richmond Battlefield
The national battlefield park contains sites relating to three separate events of the Civil War: the Seven Days Campaign of 1862, the Overland Campaign of 1864, and the late-war fighting north of the James River.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009
7. Gaines’ Mill Battlefield Loop Trail along Boatswain's Creek below the Watt House
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 2,645 times since then and 67 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.