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Battery Danzler


Drewry's Bluff


Drewry's Bluff


Dutch Gap Canal


Dutch Gap Canal


Point of Rocks

photos: Library of Congress

The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation administers an abundance of historical landmarks, including the Civil War sites listed below.


Battery Dantzler
Built in May 1864, this Confederate battery was constructed to stop Union naval forces from advancing up the James River. Open sunrise to sunset daily. Free
1820 Battery Dantzler Road
(804) 751-4664

Bermuda Hundred
About 30,000 men under the command of Gen. Benjamin Butler landed at Bermuda Hundred on May 5, 1864, and spent 10 days trying to capture Petersburg and Richmond.
Rt. 10 to Allied Road, turn right to James River.

Dodd Park at Point of Rocks
Point of Rocks was home to the Appamattuck tribe of the Powhatan Confederacy. During the Civil War, Union Gen. Benjamin Butler and his army of the James had their headquarters here. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Free
201 Enon Church Road
(804) 748-1623

Drewry's Bluff
Built in May 1862, this was the first defensive position constructed on the James River during the Civil War to defend against the Union Navy. It later became the Annapolis of the South, training Confederate Navy midshipmen. The Confederate Marine Corps trained here as well. Open from sunrise to sunset. Free
7600 Fort Darling Road
(804) 226-1981

Dutch Gap Canal
Dug under the direction of Union Gen. Benjamin Butler, this canal was meant to bypass Confederate defenses along the James River. In the 1870s, Butler, then a senator, saw to the completion of this canal, the main river access to Richmond today. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Free
301 Henricus Park Road
(804) 748-1623

Fort Stevens
This fort was central in the May 16, 1864, Confederate Army's counter attack at Drewry's Bluff. Open sunrise to sunset. Free
8900 Pams Avenue
(804) 751-4664

Fort Wead
Constructed in June 1864 at the rear of the Union lines during the Civil War, this fort was intended to prevent Confederate forces from advancing in the event the lines were captured. It never actually was used for this purpose. Open sunrise to sunset. Free
1107 Greyledge Boulevard
(804) 751-4664

Howlett Line Park
These Confederate earthworks were a major impediment for Union forces at the end of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. Open sunrise to sunset. Free
14100 Howlett Line Drive
(804) 751-4664

Huguenot Park
Named for the French Huguenots who established Manakintown in 1701, this area was once home to the Monacan Indians. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Free
10901 Robious Road
(804) 748-1623

Parker's Battery
This battery defended Confederate rail lines from Richmond to Petersburg. Open sunrise to sunset. Free
1801 Ware Bottom Spring Road
(804) 226-1981
National Park Service

Warebottom Church
This area was the site of the May 1864 battle during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign.
1600 Old Bermuda Hundred Road
(804) 751-4664

Lee's Retreat
This site includes the route across the Ettrick Cotton Factory Bridge along River Road in Chesterfield County that General Robert E. Lee took when he was cut off by General Grant and the Army of the Potomac. Lee was served lunch by Cloverhill Plantation owner Judge James H. Cox as recorded by Kate Cox Logan in her book "My Confederate Childhood." This is a private residence not open to the public.


For more information, please call the number listed with each site, or contact the Chesterfield Historical Society at (804) 777-9663.

This site is sponsored by Chesterfield Heritage Alliance.
For more information, call the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation at (804) 748-1623

Copyright 2006 © Chesterfield Heritage Alliance. All rights reserved.