Mission

The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia serves as the center for Chesterfield history. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, interpret and promote the county’s unique past for the education of present and future generations.  
   

 Battery Dantzler Park today and c.1864                                    Signal Tower

The first major action of the Civil War in Chesterfield County took place on May 15, 1862 when a federal flotilla led by the Union ironclad USS Monitor headed toward Richmond on the James River. The Federals were turned back after a three hour battle with Confederate guns at Drewry’s Bluff.

In the spring of 1864, the war again came directly to Chesterfield County when Union General Benjamin F. Butler landed the Army of the James on the Bermuda Hundred peninsula. Butler’s mission was to secure a base of operations and then advance on Richmond. During the first days of May, Butler made tentative advances forward, but then fell back to his defensive positions at Bermuda Hundred. The Battle of Drewry’s Bluff on May 16 halted Butler’s greatest attempt to move on toward Richmond.  As Butler retreated back to his prepared positions in Bermuda Hundred, the Confederates followed and began to dig their own set of entrenchments. The Confederate fortifications and trenches became known as the Howlett Line, and prevented Butler  from making any more direct threats to Richmond. Confederate and Union troops faced each other across those trenches for the rest of the war. 

Chesterfield County contains 10 parks sites associated with the Civil War. Each of these sites has its own  unique story to tell. Collectively, these “links in a chain” tell the larger story of one of the most important military campaigns of the war.

Animated Battle Maps   Please Note:  For the animated maps, once on the  map page, you can click on the icon at the bottom right of the page to make the presentation larger.

Bryan Truzzie: " How to make a cup of copy in 1862"

Here is an overview of Civil War Sites in Chesterfield County. The sites are listed with addresses, telephone numbers, and hours of operation.  An exceptional self guided driving tour book, is now available at the Magnolia Grange Gift Shop.

  This inexpensive book, in its second printing,  by Robert J. Foreman, (see picture) is an excellent guide with maps and history of each site on the tour. It sells in the Magnolia Grange gift shop for $12.00.  For mail orders, please phone the gift shop at 804-796-1479.  Tax, shipping and handling, $5.00

Preserving Civil War Sites.   The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is dedicated to preserving the Civil War sites in Chesterfield County.  These sites are being maintained presently by volunteers.  If you have a passion for preservation, please consider a donation to help establish historical markers and site maintenance.  Donations are welcomed. Use PayPal button in left side bar.

  Ø  More  Civil War             Help Preserve Historic Point of Rocks Site