A Perfect Gibraltar - Richmond VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 37° 25.314 W 077° 25.318
18S E 285682 N 4144430
After the repulse of the Union Navy on May 15, 1862, Drewry’s Bluff became famous as a tangible symbol of Confederate resistance.
Waymark Code: WM19JPW
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 03/09/2024
Views: 0
TEXT
A Perfect Gibraltar-After the repulse of the Union Navy on May 15, 1862, Drewry’s Bluff became famous as a tangible symbol of Confederate resistance. Work crews made up of impressed slave labor continued construction of the fort, eventually completing a four-sided, enclosed earthwork bristling with guns.
This photograph, taken from the wall behind you, shows the section built after May 15. Following the war the bombproofs collapsed leaving deep impressions in the earth. Also note that the ground was completely open, allowing the fort’s defenders to see for miles. When orders came to evacuate Richmond, the Confederate garrison abandoned the fort and joined Lee’s army during its retreat to Appomattox. For many of them, their active service ended with capture at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, April 6, 1865.
Drewry’s Bluff did not remain vacant long. Union troops immediately took possession of the fort that for three years had barred their way to Richmond.
“Drury’s Bluff battery is a perfect Gibraltar and can never be taken by gunboats.”
Henry L. Graves, 2nd Georgia Battalion
LOCATION: Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from Fort Darling Road half a mile north of Bellwood Road. This marker is located in the Drewry’s Bluff (Fort Darling) unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Postal address: 7600 Fort Darling Road, Richmond VA 23237
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
7600 Fort Darling Road
Richmond, VA United States
23237
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