Drewry's Bluff

Drewry's Bluff

located seven miles below Richmond on the James River, this was a popular spot for Richmonders to visit, as well as the scene of a battle between the defenders on the Bluff, and Union ironclads in the river on May 15, 1862. Two years later, Butler's army was attacked near here - this is known as the Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff. The site is now part of the Richmond National Battlefield Park.

Images

1037	Interior of Fort Drury - Ten-Inch Columbiad, with view down River, showing point in middle ground near where the U. S. Iron Clad Galena was repulsed in 1862 - Batteries near Chapin's Bluff in the distance.	"
1038	Interior of Fort Drury-Same Gun as shown in No. 1037.	"
1039	Interior of Fort Drury - Hot-shot Furnace - Same Columbiad as shown in No. 1037 - Pile of Balls, &c., &c.	"
1040	Extreme Battery, Drury's Bluff - Seven Inch Brooke's Rifle Gun - Portion of Hulks forming obstructions visible near left cheek of embrasure, place where Galena was repulsed in 1862 - 1st Conn. Art. on drill.	"
1041	Same View as No. 1040 - Chapin's Bluff in the distance.	"
1042	Three fourths front view of the same Gun as shown in No. 1040.	"
1043	Three-fourths rear view of the same Gun as shown in No. 1040 - Fort Darling on the right of the picture.	"
1044	Front View of the same Gun as shown in No. 1040, showing the Gabion forming the right and left cheek of the Embrasure, with Confederate Garrison in rear.	"
1045	Officer's Quarters and Magazine at Drury's Bluff.	"
1046	Ordnance Depot at Drury’s Bluff—Bird’s eye view of a Ship at the dock. This view was taken from the top of the Bluff, eighty feet above the deck.	"
1049	View from Drury's Bluff looking down the River (James) - Chapin's Bluff below the second bend of the River.	"
1050	Grave of Frank L. Smith, who was accidentally drowned in James River; also, Confeerate Graves at Drury's Bluff.	"
1051	Eight-Inch Broke Gun slung on a captured Confederate Sling Cart, with Limber in front and a U. S. Sling Cart in rear.	"
1052	Same Gun And Sling Cart as shown in No. 1051, showing how the Gun is slung under the cart.	"
1053	View of large Sling Cart made by the Confederates to move Guns weighing 50,000 lbs. from the Tredegar Works. Used by the 1st Conn. Art. in removing the Guns from the Confederate Water Batteries on James River.	"
1054	A three-fourths rear view of the same sling cart shown in 1053— (description seen on No. 1053). This view shows the construction of the wheels, the alternate spokes projecting from opposite ends of the hubs, and all terminating in the same plane in the rim of the wheel.	"
1055	Three-fourths front View of the same Sling Cart shown in No. 1053. This view shows the Limber, Brake, and Drag Ropes used by the soldiers in assisting the Horses and mules to move Heavy Guns.	"
1056	Front Elevation of the Sling Cart shown in No. 1053.	"
1057	Rear of Sling Cart shown in No. 1053. This view shows Trunnion Rings below the Axle, Elevating Screw above and Break Levers.	"
1061	View of Low Water Battery, showing Magazine and Entrance - Portion of Obstructions visible under foliage - Chapin's Bluff in the distance.	"
1062	Obstructions in the River below Fort Drury.	"
1063	Combination of Butler's Gap and Dutch Towers.	"
1064	View in Dutch Gap. Steamtug Alida at the Entrance of the Gap.	"
1065	Brigade Band at Gen. Abbott’s Headquarters, Fort Drury.	"
1066	View of Butler's Dutch Gap Canal.	"
1068	View of Confederate Gunboat Drury, blown up and sunk by the 1st Conn. Art. in the James River.	"
1069	View of Confederate Church at Fort Darling—Graves in the foreground—Entrance to the Fort on the right.	"
1072	Adjt. General's Headquarters at Fort Drury, Va.	"
1083	Headquarters 1st Conn. Art. - Gen. Abbott and Staff.	"
1150	[Sling Cart used in removing catured artillery at Fort Darling.]	"
1151	Sling Cart for moving Heavy Cannon.	"
1152	[Sling Cart used in removing catured artillery at Fort Darling.]	"
1155	[Sling Cart used in removing catured artillery at Fort Darling, April 1865.]	"

461.	Drury's Bluff Levy & Cohen, photographers

	E. & H. T. Anthony:
3345	Interior of the Confederate Fort Darling.
3346	Interior of the Confederate Fort Darling.
3347	The Celebrated Conf. Fort Darling.
3348	Masked Battery and obstructions, James River.
3349	Masked Battery and obstructions, James River.
3350	Obstructions in James River, Richmond, Va.
3351	Obstructions in James River, Richmond, Va.
3352	Interior of the Confederate Fort Darling.

Written Accounts

Charleston Mercury 5/16/1862; description of anticipation in Richmond on the eve of the naval battle of Drewry's Bluff

New York Herald 5/19/1862; wonderful Northern perspective on the naval battle at Drewry's Bluff

Richmond Dispatch 5/1/1863; great description of Drewry's Bluff - notes that many visitors have visited the bluff

Richmond Examiner 7/17/1863; no more visitors will be allowed at Drewry's Bluff

Richmond Sentinel 7/29/1863; great physical description of Drewry's Bluff

Richmond Sentinel 8/12/1863; account of a deserter from Drewry's Bluff reporting that the fort garrisons only 90 men

Richmond Sentinel 8/19/1863; officer at Drewry's Bluff is court-martialled for being AWOL, and confined to camp

Richmond Enquirer 10/21/1863; Masonic Lodge has been built at Drewry's Bluff

Richmond Sentinel 10/23/1863; Masonic Lodge has been built at Drewry's Bluff

Richmond Enquirer 5/13/1864; describes Richmond during the Battle of Drewry's Bluff - notes on the admission procedures for the wounded and gives numbers admitted; notes on the hospitals for various states

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Page last updated on 02/12/2008