Garthfield near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Convention Army The Barracks
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2012
1. Convention Army The Barracks Marker
Inscription.
Convention Army The Barracks. . In Jan. 1779, during the American Revolution, 4,000 British troops and German mercenaries (commonly known as “Hessians”) captured following the Battle of Saratoga in New York arrived here after marching from Massachusetts. It was called the Convention Army after the instrument of its surrender. Most prisoners lived in primitive huts spread out over several hundred acres of the barracks camp, where they endured great hardships. Supplying and guarding the Convention Army taxed the resources of the local community and militia. By Feb. 1781, the last of the prisoners had been relocated.
In Jan. 1779, during the American Revolution, 4,000 British troops and German mercenaries (commonly known as “Hessians”) captured following the Battle of Saratoga in New York arrived here after marching from Massachusetts. It was called the Convention Army after the instrument of its surrender. Most prisoners lived in primitive huts spread out over several hundred acres of the barracks camp, where they endured great hardships. Supplying and guarding the Convention Army taxed the resources of the local community and militia. By Feb. 1781, the last of the prisoners had been relocated.
Erected 2011 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-166.)
Location. 38° 5.705′ N, 78° 31.558′ W. Marker is near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is in Garthfield. Marker is on Barracks Farm Road (County Route 658) east of Garthfield Lane, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 740 Garthfield Ln, Charlottesville VA 22901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,014 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
