Mechanicsville in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Beaver Dam Creek
—Richmond Nat’l Battleﬁeld Pk – 1862/64 —
Fearful that McClellan might hurl the bulk of his army directly at Richmond, Lee determined to engage Porter at Beaver Dam Creek. The resulting action proved to be a costly diversion. Today the creek at this spot is much wider and swampier than in 1862, and heavy woods obscure the lofty ridge occupied by Porter’s men on the eastern side of the stream.
Touring the Battlefield
The national park preserves battlefield ground occupied by soldiers from both armies. Take the footbridge over Beaver Dam Creek and learn about the heaviest fighting of the battle. The bridge crosses the creek at the same spot as the 1862 bridge.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War marker series.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 37° 35.786′ N, 77° 21.53′ W. Marker is in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from Cold Harbor Road (Virginia Route 156), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in the Beaver Dam Creek Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23111, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Beaver Dam Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee’s First Strike (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Creek Runs Red (was about 300 feet away but has been reported missing. ); a different marker also named Beaver Dam Creek (about 300 feet away); The Confederates Attack Historic Cold Harbor Road (about 500 feet away); Holding the High Ground (about 500 feet away); Site of Ellerson’s Mill (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsville.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker features a map of Richmond National Battlefield Park, with the location of Beaver Dam Creek indicated. The bottom right of the marker contains a battle map of the fighting at Beaver Dam Creek.
Regarding Beaver Dam Creek. This marker was replaced by a new one named Beaver Dam Creek (see nearby markers).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Battle of Beaver Dam Creek or Mechanicsville by markers.
Also see . . .
1. Beaver Dam Creek. CWSAC Battle Summaries website. (Submitted on January 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. Places To Go in Richmond National Battlefield Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on January 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
3. The Seven Days Battle. HistoryCentral.com website. (Submitted on January 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
Categories. • Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,183 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 2, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.