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

The Chickahominy River & Seven Days' Battles

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 12, 2009

1. The Chickahominy River & Seven Days' Battles Marker

Inscription. During the Civil War's Seven Days' Battles from 25 June to 1 July 1862, many engagements occurred along and near the Chickahominy River. Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan led the Army of the Potomac. His goal was to capture the Confederate capital city of Richmond, defended by Gen. Robert E. Lee. Battles fought near the river include Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville) on 26 June, Gaines's Mill on 27 June, and Savage's Station on 29 June. These and other battles encouraged McClellan to retreat to Harrison's Landing and ended the immediate threat to the capital city.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-11.)

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 July 1, 1862.

Location. 37° 35.459′ N, 77° 23.15′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. 360) 0.6 miles east of Springdale Road, on the right when traveling east. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hanover County / Henrico County (here, next to this marker); Seven Days' Battles Begin

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Defending Richmond (approx. half a mile away); Chickahominy Bluff (approx. half a mile away); Outer Fortifications (approx. 0.6 miles away); Seven Days Battles (approx. one mile away); Mechanicsville (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Seven Days’ Battles (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Seven Days Begin (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Chickahominy Bluff (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Richmond Defences (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Mechanicsville Turnpike crossing the Chickahominy River valley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 12, 2009

2. Mechanicsville Turnpike crossing the Chickahominy River valley

Main Channel of the Chickahominy River at Mechanicsville image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 12, 2009

3. Main Channel of the Chickahominy River at Mechanicsville

Chickahominy River, Va. Bridge on Mechanicsville road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Reekie, circa April 1865

4. Chickahominy River, Va. Bridge on Mechanicsville road.

Library of Congress [LC-B811-0913]

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,409 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 18, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.