Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Confederate Laboratory

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

1. Confederate Laboratory Marker

Inscription. Brown’s Island was the site of the Confederate Laboratory, a major powder-loading and cartridge-producing plant during the Civil War.

During the Civil War, the hazardous work of loading powder was carried out here on Brown’s Island because of its separation from the city by water. On March 13, 1864, a huge explosion killed 46 workers – mostly women whom hard times had forced into this dangerous occupation.

Erected by Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.

Location. 37° 32.058′ N, 77° 26.545′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South 7th Street and Tredegar Street. This marker is on the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk on Brown's Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Jasper (within shouting distance of this marker); R&P Railroad Piers (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal Walk / Historic Canals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Falls of the James (about 300 feet away); Brown’s Island (about

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300 feet away); Manchester & Free Bridges (about 300 feet away); Albemarle Paper (about 400 feet away); Electricity for Streetcars (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Confederate States Laboratory. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

2. Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk. Venture Richmond (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

3. Women and Girls in the Brown's Island Explosion. Civil War Women (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

2. Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk

Richmond, Virginia. Ruins of State Arsenal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alexander Gardner, Apr 1865

3. Richmond, Virginia. Ruins of State Arsenal

The frame buildings visible on the far side of the Haxall Canal are the Confederate Laboratories on Brown's Island.Library of Congress [LC-B811- 884]

Shockoe Hill Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 20, 2009

4. Shockoe Hill Cemetery

Fourteen of the victims of the March 1863 explosion are buried in this unmarked section of Shockoe Hill cemetery.

UDC Monument in Oakwood Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 5, 2009

5. UDC Monument in Oakwood Cemetery

In memory of those who lost their lives in the explosion of C.S. Laboratories on Brown's Island - Richmond, Virginia, March 13, 1863

Though their hands were small and not hardened in battle their service to the Confederacy looms large.

May this stone serve as a perpetual memorial to the dedication and sacrifice of these forgotten and unsung victims.

"Let us remember them as time and tide move on in endless rhyme while bud and blossom, hill and tree
remember them, so shall we." Oliver Reeves

Erected by Virginia Division,
United Daughters of the Confederacy,

Dedicated September 15, 2001

Names and ages of the victims. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 5, 2009

6. Names and ages of the victims.

Mary Ryan, 18 • Mary Blessingham, 12 • Eliza Willis, 10 • Elizabeth Young, 33 • Mary Archer, 12 • Sarah Haney • Annie Peddicord • Mary Annie Garnett, 13 • Barbara A. Jackson, 16 • Robert S. Chaple, 15 • Elizabeth S. Moore, 15 • Delia Clemens, 20 • Sarah Foster, 14 • Sarah Marshall, 67 • Rev John H. Woodcock, 63 • Alice Johnson, 17 • Mary E. Valentine, 14 • Margaret Drustly, 16 • Amelia Diefenback, 15 • Mary Zerhum, 12 • Anne E. Bolton, 14 • Nannie Horan, 14 • Virginia E. Page, 13 • Mary Ellen Wallace, 12 • Emma Virginia Blankenshp, 15 • Margaret Alexander, 15 • Caroline Zietenheimer, 16 • Martha Clemmons, 25 • James Currie • Mary O’Brien • Martha Burley • Martha Daley • Mrs. Ann Dodson • Julia A. Brannon • Mary Rowlin • Catherine McCarthy • Mary Zinginham • Mary Whitehurst • Maria Brien • Ella Smith • Annie Davis • Mary Cushing • Louisa Ricely • Ellen Sullivan • Mary O’Connors • Virginia A. Mayer, 12

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,900 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.