Hopewell, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Peter Eppes House
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
1. Dr. Peter Eppes House CWT Marker
"At first we lived in tents, but later, when my husband became commander of the post, I lived most comfortably in a house...." - Septima M. Collis
The house Septima Collis lived "most comfortably" in during the last months of the Civil War had been built by Thomas and Martha Williams in 1859 on land they had purchased from Dr. Richard Eppes for $400. Septima's husband, Brigadier General Charles H.T. Collis, obtained the house for his headquarters when he became commander of the post in October 1864.
As a high ranking officer, Collis was permitted to have his family with him at City Point. Years later, Septina fondly remembered her time in the Eppes house. One evening, she and General Collis were enjoying an informal picnic supper in front of the fire. After an evening of horseback riding, the General and his wife threw a dozen James River oysters on the embers of a wood fire. Seated on the floor, Mrs. Collis was devouring the succulent bivalves which her husband opened. At that moment General and Mrs. Grant came to call, much to Septina's consternation - although, as she noted, her guests "enjoyed the situation heartily, and were good enough to say they envied us,...."
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 18.871′ N, 77° 16.554′ W. Marker was in Hopewell, Virginia. It was on Brown Avenue north of Maplewood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Hopewell VA 23860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Dr. Peter Eppes House (here, next to this marker); Porter House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peacemaker (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named One Soldier, One Family, One War (about 400 feet away); City Point, Virginia (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named City Point's Rails And Waterways (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named City Point (about 400 feet away); Appomattox Manor (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopewell.
Other markers no longer nearby. One Soldier, One Family, One War (was about 400 feet away
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
2. Dr. Peter Eppes House on Brown Avenue.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a photo of the house with the caption "A Zouave guard, a member of Collis's 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, stand before his commander's home and headquarters. Dr. Peter Eppes purchased the house after Thomas Williams's death in 1868. Since then, the house has been turned ninety degrees; the home's original front is now the south side."
On the upper right are portraits of Generals Ewell and Barringer with the caption, "Near the end of the war the Collises hosted captured Confederate officers, including Generals Ewell and Barringer. Mrs. Collis, who considered herself "quite a cordon bleu" presented an attractive menu consisting of superb raw oysters, green-turtle soup, a delicious James River shad, and a fillet of army beef. A bottle of whiskey and another of brandy and a cup of the good black coffee constituted the dinner. General Barringer later said it was the first square meal he had eaten in two years. When General Ewell questioned the Southern born Mrs. Collis's loyalty, she retorted that she had "only followed the example of many other Southrons" - hers being the "state of matrimony.""
On the lower right is a photo of Septima Collis with the caption, "Mrs. Collis resided in the Dr. Peter Eppes House with her husband and young daughter from October 1864 through the end of the Civil War. Because of her daughter's illness, Septima was allowed to remain in City Point even after the other ladies were evacuated, and thus witnessed the final weeks of the war, including President Abraham Lincoln's visit."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Dr. Peter Eppes House".
Also see . . . The University Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Documenting the American. A Woman's War Record, 1861-1865 by Septima M. Collis (Septima Maria), 1842-1917. New York; London: G.P. Putnam's Sons; Knickerbocker Press, 1889. (Submitted on June 4, 2009.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,790 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
