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

The Battle Begins

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

1. The Battle Begins Marker

Inscription. Porter’s soldiers rested their muskets across a make-shift breastwork of felled trees, bales of hay, and knapsacks. A Union soldier remembered “an ominous silence” that covered the battlefield moments before Lee launched his first assault at 2:30 p.m.

Union shells screamed overhead ripping huge gaps in the charging Southern lines. When the Confederates reached the exposed high ground across the creek, Porter’s infantry greeted the attackers with “deadly and staggering volleys.” Uncoordinated Confederate attacks at Gaines’ Mill demonstrated the advantage of the defense during Civil War battles.

Erected by National Park Service.

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

Location. 37° 34.509′ N, 77° 17.583′ 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 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

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marker. The Union Left Flank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Powerful Position (about 300 feet away); Confederate Grand Assault (about 300 feet away); The Decisive Moment (about 300 feet away); Hood's Attack (about 300 feet away); Whiting's Advance (about 400 feet away); Pickett’s Brigade, CSA (about 500 feet away); Battle of Gaines' Mill (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.

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

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

2. The Battle Begins Marker

Boatswain's Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2009

3. Boatswain's Creek

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,269 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.