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

Hood's Attack

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

1. Hood's Attack Marker

Inscription. Fitz John Porter's troop had repulsed Confederate attacks throughout the afternoon. With daylight waning, Lee turned to John Bell Hood to spearhead the final assault. Personally leading the 4th Texas and the 18th Georgia, General Hood instructed his men not to fire until they crossed the creek.

They "madly plunged" into Boatswain's Creek and shattered Porter's lines. Charging up the steep bank, one Texan remembered slaughtering "the retreating devils as they scampered up the hill." Hood's assault broke the Federal line here; other Confederates elsewhere along the creek carried the hill simultaneously.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 34.453′ N, 77° 17.596′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. It can be reached from Watt House Road 0.7 miles south of Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156), on the right when traveling south. This marker is located on the walking trail along Boatswain Creek in the Gaines' Mill Battlefield unit of the 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

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of this marker: Whiting's Advance (a few steps from this marker); The Union Left Flank (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Grand Assault (within shouting distance of this marker); Pickett’s Brigade, CSA (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Decisive Moment (about 300 feet away); The Federals Collapse (about 300 feet away); The Battle Begins (about 300 feet away); Final Stand (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

More about this marker. On the lower panel is a map depicting Hood's assault with the caption, "The Confederate successes in the early evening ruined Porter's position and ultimately forced the last Union troops back across the Chickahominy."

Also see . . .
1. CWSAC Battle Summary. Gaines’ Mill (Submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. John Bell Hood Historical Society. (Submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Map of Hood's Attack image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

2. Map of Hood's Attack

Hood's Attack Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

3. Hood's Attack Markers

Boatswain's Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

4. Boatswain's Creek

Union postion facing Hood's line of attack across Boatswain's Creek. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

5. Union postion facing Hood's line of attack across Boatswain's Creek.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,565 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.