Lee's Mills was significant in the series of conflicts associated with the Peninsula Campaign, an effort by Union forces to seize the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Engaging in a series of confrontations, this specific battle demonstrated the tactical evolution of warfare as both sides utilized trenches for defense, hinting at strategies more commonly seen in later battles of the war. Union General John Wool found himself opposing Confederate General James Longstreet's forces. This clash began as Union troops advanced toward the Williamsburg Road, aiming to dislodge the Confederates and pave the way for further incursions into Virginia's interior. The fighting, while not as massive as other engagements, involved around 20,000 troops and illustrated the growing complexity of Civil War military tactics. Notably, the battle resulted in a Confederate withdrawal, but not without inflicting significant casualties, which showcased the fierce and brutal nature of the conflict that would characterize subsequent engagements.