Lee's Mill Earthworks

Lee's Mill Earthworks is a fortified site in Newport News, Virginia, consisting of rifle pits and a 19th-century redoubt. The structures spread across about 10 acres and demonstrate the engineering techniques used to defend against attacks.

The fortification was built to defend the Confederacy during the Civil War and played a decisive role in April 1862 during a major defense. It was part of a larger defensive line that stretched across the region and influenced the war's course.

The site shows how soldiers built defensive lines by working with the natural landscape during the 1800s. Walking through reveals the practical methods they used and the labor involved in creating these fortifications.

You can visit the earthworks by following marked trails that go through the site. The paths are easy to follow, though the ground is uneven and sturdy footwear is advisable.

This place is the best-preserved section of a defensive line that stretched 12 miles from Warwick to Yorktown. This specific location made it one of the most strategic points during the entire campaign.

Location: Newport News

GPS coordinates: 37.16720,-76.55360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43