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

The Cavalry Charge

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

1. The Cavalry Charge Marker

Inscription. “In as short while we felt the ground begin to tremble like an earthquake and heard a noise like the rumbling of distant thunder. It was a regiment of United States cavalry charging us….When they were within about forty yards of us, we poured a volley into them and prepared to receive them on our bayonets; but our one volley had done dreadful execution.”
Pvt. William R. Hamby
4th Texas Infantry

“On came that splendid body of regular cavalry at breakneck speed, while our boys calmly waited until they were within about seventy five yards, and then there shot out from that ragged line a continuous sheet of flame, emptying many a saddle and hurling back the charging squadron in the wildest confusion.”
Pvt. C. F. James
8th Virginia Infantry

Erected by National Park Service.

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

Location. 37° 34.29′ N, 77° 17.694′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker 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

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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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Balloons Over the Battlefield (a few steps from this marker); Mistaken Identity (a few steps from this marker); Watt Farm Road (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Rifle Pits (about 500 feet away); Wilcox’s Alabama Brigade, (about 600 feet away); Intensity of Battle (about 600 feet away); Wilcox’s Brigade, CSA (about 700 feet away); Morell’s Division, USA (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

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

2. Gaines' Mill Battlefield Loop Trail. This marker is one along the loop trail in the Gaines' Mill Battlefield unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on February 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

2. The Cavalry Charge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.