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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
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May 15, 1862—The Battle of Drewry's Bluff
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By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010 | |
| | | 1. May 15, 1862—The Battle of Drewry's Bluff Marker | | |
Inscription. When Federal gunboats rounded the distant bend in the James, they entered a shooting gallery. Confederate soldiers and Marines along the riverbanks raked the decks with musket fire. Confederate guns here in the fort opened fire. The river obstructions, consisting of sunken ships and stone cribs, worked as planned—the USS Galena could not drive through them, so it swung broadside in the channel in order to fire its guns at the bluff.
For four hours, the Galena and her crew absorbed a relentless pounding from the Confederate gunners before retreating downriver. Of the 164 officers and men aboard, 27 fell killed or wounded. Southern forces suffered 15 casualties. The first attempt to take Richmond by river failed, and never again would the U.S. Navy challenge the guns of Drewry’s Bluff.
“The batteries on the Rebel side were beautifully served and put their shots through our side with great precision … The Galena did most of the fighting—her sides look as though she had an attack of smallpox.”
Commander John Rodgers, USS Galena
Erected 2010 by Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Location. 37° 25.328′ N, 77° 25.3′ W. Marker is near Richmond| | | | 
October 17, 2010 | |
| | | 2. The Battle of Drewry's Bluff | | |
, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from Fort Darling Road half a mile north of Bellwood Road. Click for map. This marker is located in the Drewry’s Bluff (Fort Darling) unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7600 Fort Darling Road, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Duty Above and Beyond (here, next to this marker); Drewry’s Bluff (a few steps from this marker); The USS Monitor (a few steps from this marker); Finishing Fort Drewry (within shouting distance of this marker); A Perfect Gibraltar (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Shot and Wooden Ships (within shouting distance of this marker); "A Very Neat Chapel" (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Covered Way (about 400 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. On the right is a painting of the Battle of Drewry's Bluff.
Also see . . .
1. Drewry's Bluff. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Battle of Drewry’s Bluff” (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
3. Drewry’s Bluff. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
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By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010 | |
| | | 3. Drewry's Bluff overlooking the James River | | The Union flotilla was positioned near the modern buoy. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 759 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
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