Lee's Mill Earthworks

  • Also Known As: 121-0050
  • Also Known As: Mill Tract

  • Address: 280 Rivers Ridge Cir
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Site

The Lee's Mill earthworks, situated on a ten-acre parcel in a rapidly developing area of Newport News, are remnants of the Confederate Warwick-Yorktown defensive line from the 1862 Peninsula Campaign. The earthen fortifications were erected between the summer of 1861 and the spring of 1862. Although once cleared of trees for a better field of fire, the area is now in oak, beech, and pine timber overlooking the Warwick River. This historic area is bounded by Fort Eustis, the Warwick River, and the Mill's Ridge housing development; thereby, providing green space in a suburban area. A walking trail parallels the fortifications around the river and leads back toward the parking lot. At the entrance, a Virginia Civil War Trails interpretative sign details the April 5, 1862 Battle of Lee's Mill. - NRHP, 4 July 2002


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1861/00/00 Alfred L Rives Engineer Lee's Mill fortifications are built between the summer of 1861 and the spring of 1862 by thousands of slaves and soldiers wielding pick axes and shovels. Features include rifle pits and three redoubts on the bluffs overlooking the Warwick River.
1861/00/00 Isaac St John Engineer Lee's Mill fortifications are built between the summer of 1861 and the spring of 1862 by thousands of slaves and soldiers wielding pick axes and shovels. Features include rifle pits and three redoubts on the bluffs overlooking the Warwick River.
1862/04/05 John Bankhead Magruder Confederate Commander Gen Magruder's 13,000 troops halt the Union advance along the Warwick-Yorktown line. Around 7:00 am, it began to rain, and both armies were quickly soaked. Siege of Yorktown (1862)

Data »

Particulars for Lee's Mill Earthworks:
Structure Type Fortification
Criteria Historic Event
Area of Significance Military
Criteria Person
Sight Category Site



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 23rd June 2003

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Lee's Mill Earthworks
Registry Address: 280 Rivers Ridge Cir.
Registry Number: 03000568
Resource Type: Site
Owner: Local
Architect: Rives, Alfred; St. John, Isaac
Area in Acres: 10
Contributing Sites: 1
Other Certification: Date received-pending nomination
Certification: Listed in the National Register
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: State
Area of Significance: Military
Applicable Criteria: Event, Person
Significant Year: 1862
Associated People: Magruder, John Bankhead
Historic Function: Defense
Historic Sub-Function: Fortification
Current Function: Recreation and Culture, Landscape
Current Sub-Function: Outdoor recreation Parking lot Park Forest

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