June 26, 1862

• The battle of Beaver Dam Creek, also called the Battle of Mechanicsville, was the start of General Lee's offensive against General McClellan's army.

• Lee's plan was to turn the right flank of the Union troops, but due to delays General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's command did not arrive in time for the plan to work correctly.

• Confederate forces under General A. P. Hill advanced at Mechanicsville and the Northern troops there were forced to retreat about one mile to Beaver Dam Creek.

• The Union forces of Brigadier General Fitz John Porter's V Corps inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing troops of A. P. Hill at Beaver Dam Creek. General Porter's troops then fell back safely to Gaines' Mill.