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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Chester in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
Battery Dantzler
Dueled with Union Gunboats
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By Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009 | |
| | | 1. Battery Dantzler CWT Marker | | |
Inscription. In 1862, Confederate authorities considered locating the main defensive James River battery here to block the Union navy’s approach to Richmond. They chose Drewry’s Bluff instead because they feared that Union forces would bypass this position by cutting a canal through the river bend at Dutch Gap. The landing of Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler’s Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred in May 1864 prompted the construction of this fortification. It was named Battery Dantzler in honor of Col. Olin Miller Dantzler, 22nd South Carolina Infantry, killed in action nearby. Battery Dantzler anchored the northern end of the Howlett Line of earthworks across the Bermuda Hundred peninsula from the James River south to the Appomattox River.
The fort mounted two 20-pounder Parrott guns, two 7-inch Brooke rifles, two 8-inch smoothbore Columbiads, and two 10-inch coastal mortars. Battery Dantzler dueled daily with Union gunboats and land batteries until April 2, 1865, when its garrison abandoned it to march westward with Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The march ended a week later at Appomattox Court House.
(right sidebar)
The construction of Battery Dantzler began on May 18, 1864. Two 20-pounder Parrott guns captured on May 16 at the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff were among the first artillery pieces placed here. | | | | 
By Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009 | |
| | | 2. Battery Dantzler Markers | | |
Union infantry occupied the battery on June 15, after Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard’s forces withdrew from Bermuda Hundred to defend Petersburg against the first Federal threats. The guns here were dismounted and buried, and remained hidden until the Confederates retook the position the following day. Quickly remounted, the guns exchanged fire with Union vessel in Trent’s Reach on June 21. The Union ironclad Tecumseh dismounted one 7-inch cannon with its last shot.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 37° 21.486′ N, 77° 23.532′ W. Marker is near Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker is on Battery Dantzler Road 0.2 miles east of Old Stage Road, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chester VA 23836, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Olin Miller Dantzler (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battery Dantzler (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); The Battle of Trent’s Reach (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battery Dantzler (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Howlett Line (approx. 0.4 miles away); Richmond Battlefields (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Boy Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Howlett Line (approx. 0.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Chester. | | | | 
By Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009 | |
| | | 3. Battery Dantzler Gun Platform | | |
More about this marker. On the lower left is a photo of "Col. Olin Miller Dantzler - Courtesy Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center St. Mathews, S.C."
On the upper center is a sketch of "Battery Dantzler in action. Harper’s Weekly illustration – Library of Congress."
On the lower center is a map showing Battery Dantzler's position at the north end of the Howlett Line.
On the lower right is a photo of "Battery Dantzler - Courtesy Library of Congress."
Also see . . . Civil War Traveler. Chesterfield County (Submitted on February 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
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By Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009 | |
| | | 4. Trent's Reach on the James River (old channel). | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on February 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 287 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. Submitted on February 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 3, 4. Submitted on February 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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