Woodbrook near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Rio Hill

Artifacts Found at Rio Hill

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

1. Rio Hill Marker

Inscription. Civil War relic collectors found Stuart’s winter camp and skirmish site (shaded area of map) long before the Rio Hill Shopping Center opened in 1989.

Metal detectors were used to search the area and artifacts—bullets, buttons, belt and harness buckles, shell fragments, camp equipment and personal items—were found.

Photo (A) shows a recovered Confederate officer’s two-piece “CS” belt buckle, while a Virginia state seal and Confederate block and script “I” infantry buttons are shown in (B). Union eagle buttons (C) are accompanied by a Vermont state seal button. Part of a curry comb used to groom horses was also found (D) along with an officer’s brass spur (E) still retaining traces of its original gilt finish.

A Bowie knife remnant (F) was salvaged in addition to a hatchet (G), artillery shell fragment (H) and pocket watch case frame (I).

All of the mounted artifacts in this exhibit were found at the Rio Hill Confederate camp and skirmish site and graciously donated for display.

Erected by Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.

Location.

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38° 5.19′ N, 78° 28.356′ W. Marker is near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is in Woodbrook. Marker can be reached from Woodbrook Drive west of Seminole Trail (U.S. 29). It is in Rio Hill Center, in a large case on the wall next to the Subway sandwich shop. The restaurant is on the roadway that parallels Route 29 on the western edge of the shopping center between Woodbrook Drive and Myers Drive. If you are heading south on Route 29, go past Woodbrook and turn on Myers drive. Then take the first right into the shopping center. Continue straight ahead and it will be on left. If you are traveling north, you’ll have to turn left on Woodbrook, left into the shopping center, and then work your way through the parking lots back towards Route 29. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1758 Rio Hill Center, Charlottesville VA 22901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rio Hill 1864 Skirmish (here, next to this marker); Skirmish at Rio Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Springs (approx. 1.2 miles away); Six Miles of Trails (approx. 1.2 miles away); Legacy of Hugh Carr / The Village of Hydraulic Mills (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Origins of Ivy Creek Natural Area (approx. 1.2 miles away); Free State

Closeup of Map and Photos of Artifacts on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

2. Closeup of Map and Photos of Artifacts on Marker

(approx. 1.2 miles away); Monacan Indian Village (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

More about this marker. Marker shows a map showing current and 1864 roads and landmarks labeled “Stuart’s Horse Artillery Winter Camp at Rio Hill 1864.” Superimposed on the map are photos of various artifacts collected from the camp.

Two Markers at the Subway Sandwich Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

3. Two Markers at the Subway Sandwich Shop

“The Skirmish at Rio Hill – February 29, 1864” display at Rio Hill Center.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

4. Watch Parts

Bullets Found at the Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

5. Bullets Found at the Site

Harmonica Part image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

6. Harmonica Part

Artillery Shel Fragments image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

7. Artillery Shel Fragments

Various Harness Buckles image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

8. Various Harness Buckles

New Rio Hill exhibit case image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 28, 2020

9. New Rio Hill exhibit case

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,474 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 9. submitted on June 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.