Near Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Grant's Crossing

Photographed By Kathy Walker, August 3, 2007

1. Grant's Crossing Marker

Inscription. In mid-June 1864, Grant abandoned his works at Cold Harbor and marched to Petersburg, a vital rail center. A mile south of here, at Wilcox Wharf (now Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park), steamboats ferried the troops and wagons of two corps across the James River on 14-15 June. Three miles downstream, at Weyanoke Point, Union engineers built a 700-yard-long pontoon bridge in seven hours on 14 June. For three days parts of two corps, as well as supply, ammunition, and ambulance wagons, crossed the bridge in a column 50 miles long. Engineers then dismantled the bridge. Grant's attack on the Confederate lines at Petersburg failed, and the armies settled into a ten-month siege.

Erected 1993 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 37° 19.919′ N, 77° 6.448′ W. Marker is near Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. Marker is at the intersection of John Tyler Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 5) and Wilcox Wharf Road (Virginia Route

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618), on the right when traveling east on John Tyler Memorial Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles City VA 23030, 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. Swineyards - Willcox Wharf (here, next to this marker); Captain John Smith’s Trail on the James (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Captain John Smith’s Trail on the James (approx. one mile away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (approx. 1.1 miles away); Wilcox’s Landing (approx. 1.1 miles away); John Tyler's Birthplace (approx. 1½ miles away); Eye Witness to a Revolution (approx. 2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Also see . . . Crossing of the James. The Army Quartermaster Corps offers this discussion of the logistical aspects of the crossing. (Submitted on July 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Kathy Walker, August 3, 2007

2. Grant's Crossing Marker

Shown with Swineyards - Willcox Wharf marker.

Willcox’s Landing on the James River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher

3. Willcox’s Landing on the James River.

Located 1.3 miles south on Wilcox Wharf Road.

Sterographic Photo of a Pontoon Bridge over the James image. Click for full size.

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4. Sterographic Photo of a Pontoon Bridge over the James

Taken some time after the crossing, the pontoon bridge is seen here with a section opened for ship navigation.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,831 times since then and 235 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.