Near Chester in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Half-Way House
Butler’s Headquarters
| — | Bermuda Hundred Campaign | — |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
1. Half-Way House Marker
As Grant grappled with Lee in the Wilderness and near Spotsylvania Court House in May 1864, Union Gen. Benjamin Butler landed with 30,000 troops at Bermuda Hundred, eight miles east of here. Butler’s objective was to open another front and to threaten Richmond from the south.
This building dates from 1760 and was a prominent landmark during the campaign’s battle of Drewry’s Bluff on May 16. The Half-Way (between Petersburg and Richmond) House was used by Butler during the fighting.
Early in the battle, Confederate artillery located north of here found the range. Shells shattered brick dependencies and plowed up the grounds around the building. Before the battle soldiers had helped themselves to the contents of the house, leaving the place “pretty well rummaged.”
Butler’s defeated Army of the James rallied around the Half-Way House on the afternoon of the 16th. Eventually order emerged from the chaos. The strong Union position here halted the Confederate attack and ended the battle.
The fighting at Drewry’s Bluff marked the end of Butler’s offensive operations against Richmond.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition,
this page online
Location. 37° 23.139′ N, 77° 25.461′ W. Marker is near Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is at the intersection of Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) and Wonderview Drive, on the right when traveling north on Jefferson Davis Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10301 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Central Virginia, and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hero Of The Revolution (a few steps from this marker); Halfway House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Half-Way House (within shouting distance of this marker); Into the "Bottle" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Proctor's Creek Fight (approx. 0.4 miles away); Drewry’s Bluff Battlefield (approx. 0.8 miles away); Osbornes (approx. 1.2 miles away); Farrar's Island (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. On the upper left is a photo of “Union General Benjamin Butler”. On the lower left
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
2. Map of the area
Also see . . .
1. Half-Way House History. Restaurant website entry (Submitted on February 11, 2009.)
2. Central Virginia Civil War – Richmond and Area. Civil War Traveler website entry (Submitted on February 12, 2009.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
3. Half-Way House CWT Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
4. Half-Way House
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
5. Half-Way House (rear view)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009
6. Half-Way House Out Building
This old log building was the operating kitchen for the Inn/restaurant, and all food was transported in silver serving dishes on trays by white-gloved waiters across the then brick-paved area between the two buildings.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,883 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
