National Park Service Commemorates the Battle of Gaines' Mill

Date: June 23, 2009
Contact: Mike Andrus, 804 226-1981 x. 30

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The 5th New York Volunteer Infantry in their distinctive uniforms perform bayonet drills at Gaines' Mill.

NPS

On Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2009, Richmond National Battlefield Park will present a Living History Encampment on the Gaines’ Mill battlefield (6283 Watt House Road) in Hanover County. Union and Confederate infantry will be encamped around the historic Watt House on Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, and on Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. On June 27, at 7:00 pm, park historian Bob Krick will lead a battlefield tour at the exact time and day of the anniversary of the Confederate breakthrough of the Union lines. It was at Gaines’ Mill that Confederate General Robert E. Lee achieved his first victory as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia in what became the largest and costliest battle of the Seven Days Campaign.

Volunteers portraying the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, the 3rd Virginia Infantry and F Company of the 21st Virginia Infantry will be on hand to discuss the severe fighting that occurred at Gaines’ Mill, and park historians will present 45-minute battlefield walking tours throughout the day. Mike Riley, portraying Union General John Reynolds, will talk about the general’s capture and imprisonment in Richmond after the collapse of the Union lines. During the course of the weekend participants will give talks on camp life as well as perform rifle-firing demonstrations at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.