From 9 to 14 May 1864, Union Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan led three cavalry divisions on a raid around Richmond. His forces severed vital Confederate communication lines, destroyed railroad tracks, and captured stores and supplies. On 11 May Sheridan's troops defeated Confederate Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry forces at Yellow Tavern and mortally wounded Stuart. The next day Sheridan's men fought Confederate forces while crossing the Chickahominy River at the Meadow Bridges, north of here. After reaching the Hanover County side of the river, the Federals passed by here to Mechanicsville and bivouacked at Gaines's Mill to the east.