Dam Number One Battlefield Site - Newport News, VA
Posted by: 
stinger503
N 37° 11.101 W 076° 32.232
18S E 363553 N 4116503
Site of one of the first major battles in the Peninsula Campaign
Waymark Code: WMWCJ6
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/13/2017
Views: 3
This battlefield is located in Newport News, Virginia as part of Newport News Park. The battlefield markers are located on the west-side of the Dam No. 1 Bridge and include and informational sign which depicts the battle as it was happening.
Battle Information:
John Bankhead Magruder made three dams along the Warwick River here as defensive barriers. On April 16, 1862 the Union army finally attacked after an 11 day siege. Artillery rained down on the Confederate positions and by 3 p.m. the 3rd Vermont captured the first line of rifle pits. A stiff counter-attack by the Confederate Georgia Legion caused a withdrawal to the east side of the river with heavy losses to the Vermont troops, ending the engagement here. At 5p.m. the 6th Vermont engaged downstream but was repulsed as well.
After the battle the Union settled in waiting for their siege artillery to arrive. On May 4th, before the Union's planned attack, the Union found the Confederates had already begun a retreat towards Williamsburg.
Name of Battle:
Battle of Dam Number One
Name of War: American Civil War
Parking: N 37° 10.956 W 076° 32.188
Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 04/16/1862
Date of Battle (End): 04/16/1862
Entrance Fee: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.
In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.