PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE BERMUDA HUNDRED SEMINAR

To view a larger image in a new window, click on photograph

Our group began the seminar by standing exactly on the spot where Union Gen. Benjamin Butler and his Army of the James disembarked at Bermuda Hundred.

A closer view of the Bermuda Hundred landing site. In the foreground can be seen the original road trace and bulkheads that were dock placements for the Army of the James Supply Depot.

A few yards from this spot high above the James River the Union Army erected a signal tower, which could scan across the deep river valley below and communicate with the next tower on the opposite side of the valley. The granite edifice memorializes Jane Bolling, great granddaughter of Pocahontas and John Rolfe and the wife of Richard Randolph, the son of the first William Randolph of Turkey Island.

Mark Jacobson describes the first major action between the Confederate and Union armies. Richmond lies to Mark's right. The Army of the James made its first serious blunder here as they occupy the northern position. Their objective was to take Richmond, but instead they concentrated on counterattacking the Confederate Army towards the south.

Confederate Artillery had emplacements dug here for large seige guns which were brought in (this is now private property) only to be removed in a few days.

This is a closer view of the earthworks on private property. There are four distinctive pits in pristine condition and considered by some to be the best examples of earthworks remaining in Virginia.

Jerry Netherland explains how the James River looked during the War. This site is known as Drewry's Bluff and is located just east of Richmond.

This Dahlgren gun fired shells about the size of bowling balls. It occupies the exact position where the artillery was emplaced at Drewry's Bluff during the War.

Looking east (away from Richmond) from Drewry's Bluff, there are shoals to the right. The Confederate Artillery knew that the Union Navy would have to navigate the shoals in single file. On the Union's first attempt to go up river, the Dahlgren gun at Drewry's Bluff put 75 hits into the lead gunboat.

Looking downriver from Richmond just east of the Dutch Gap cut (or canal) begun by Union forces, the Enon Bridge is in the background. On the opposite bank a few miles to the east is Turkey Island, General Pickett's boyhood home.

This area at Drewry's Bluff is hilly because it contained the "bombproofs" occupied by the Confederate soldiers as well as the magazines for their ammunition. These well preserved earthworks were surrounded by a man-made moat, created to delay attacks against the fortification.

Before Union engineers began excavating the Dutch Gap canal, which is in the foreground, this was a peninsula. Their method was detonation of the ground, but instead of blowing the earth away, the chunks of dirt landed back on the land. During their attempt, the Union forces were under the fire of Confederate artillery and sharpshooters. The canal was not completed until after the War ended.

This site is known as Battery Dantzler. During the War, the James River flowed past this position. The Union Army decided to dig the Dutch Gap Canal to allow them to navigate the river and bypass this point. Mark Jacobson is holding a period image, which shows a clear shot to the river from this position. Since the creation of the Dutch Gap Canal, this part of the James is hardly more than a large pond.

Nearing the end of the campaign tour, the group stopped at Fort Stevens to view the preserved earthworks there. Mark Jacobson is describing the placement of several Virginia Regiments at this site.

For participants in the seminar, this was a highlight. It is the famous Clay House, headquarters during the War of General Lee and later, of Union General Butler. It is privately owned and our tour guides confessed that they had to invest a considerable period of time to locate it. It was one of the more substantial homes in that area during the War and was in the hands of Federal troops when General Lee launched a two prong attack. General Pickett and his Division gained control of the Clay House (Clay Farm) and the Union emplacements nearby in heroic style. General Lee wrote to General Anderson afterwards: "Clays House, 5 1/2 P.M., 17 June 1864. Lieut. Gen. R. H. Anderson, Commanding Longstreet's Corps. General: I take great pleasure in presenting to you my congratulations upon the conduct of the men of your Corps. I believe that they will carry anything they are put against. We tried very hard to stop Pickett's men from capturing the breastworks of the enemy, but couldn't do it. I hope his loss has been small. I am, with respect, your obedient servant, R. E. Lee, General. For Major General G. E. Pickett, Commanding Division."

Pickett Society directors and officers appear to be pleased, all due, no doubt, to the excellent guidance provided by Jerry Netherland and Mark Jacobson.