Dam No. One Battlefield Site
Also known as: Lee's Mill Battlefield; Newport News Park; VDHR File No. 121-6
Why it's listed
Dam Number One Battlefield Site covers 142.8 acres inside Newport News Park in Newport News, Virginia. Wooded hills and a city reservoir mark the ground where Union and Confederate forces clashed on 16 April 1862 during the Union advance up the Peninsula toward Richmond. Confederate troops under General John B. Magruder held a line of earthworks along the north bank of the Warwick River. Four Vermont companies crossed the river after an artillery bombardment, but a lack of follow-up orders left them unsupported. A Confederate counterattack drove them back, and a later Union attempt was also repulsed. This was the only Union infantry attack against the Warwick line during the month-long siege of Yorktown. Three lines of Confederate trenches, with walls six to eight feet high, survive largely intact, along with the remains of a chimney from the Garrows House. A trail, footbridge and interpretive center let visitors see the terrain much as soldiers did in 1862.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is significant under Criterion A as the location of the only Union infantry attack against Confederate defenses during the month-long siege of Yorktown and the Warwick defense line. Poor Union communication and a Confederate counterattack turned back the assault, though a Federal breakthrough might otherwise have threatened the Confederate garrison. The surviving trenches and landscape retain excellent integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95000972, listed August 4, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 13560 Jefferson Ave., Newport News (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Newport News |
| Listed | August 4, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000972 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1862 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Open as part of Newport News Park with a trail, interpretive center and campground; the Confederate trenches are described as about 95 percent intact. Threats noted are relic hunting and the lack of a city ordinance protecting the battlefield. |
| Acreage | 143 |
| Coordinates | 37.18420, -76.53884 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95000972.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.