Gaines Mill, also called Cold Harbor until 1864, occured on the third of the Seven Days. After the battle of Oak Grove, with most of McClellan's forces south of the Chickahominy River, Robert E. Lee attacked the forces north of the river, driving Fitz-John Porter from Mechanicsville on the second day, setting up the withdrawal to Gaines Mill on Boatswain's Creek. Porter had chosen the position well as many Confederates claimed it was the strongest natural position they saw during the war.

The parking lot was in federal hands at the start of the battle. At the far end of the parking lot is the Watt House, a private residence today. On June 27, 1862, before the start of battle, the Watt family convinced 77-year old Sarah Watt to leave the home for safty. It was a good thing she agreed because the home, on top of the hill and at the center of the battlefield was heavily damaged during the battle.

On the far side of the Gaines Mill parking lot is the start of a 1.5 mile hiking trail that visits the sites of heaviest fighting. This interpreted trail curves right and enters some woods before falling to Boatswain's Creek, a small tributary of the Chickahominy River. Signs mark the spot were John Bell Hood's brigade of Texans and Georgians swept across the stream and broke the federal line. Continue on to the Alabama monument, on the far end of the federal line. Here the trail turns left and returns you to an overlook at the top of the hill. From this point you can cross the open field to a cannon line or return along the trail to its start.

Location:Northeast of downtown Richmond
Directions:From I-95 take I-64 east to U. S. 360. Go north to VA. 156.

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