Hopewell, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
City Point’s Rails And Waterways
Tools of War for General Grant
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
1. City Point’s Rails and Waterways CWT Marker
City Point…tells more about how war is conducted than many battlefields. It demonstrates how Union forces used rivers and railroads to deliver the tools of war directly to the troops in the field. – Robert Black, The Harrisburg PA Patriot News
The significance of the City Point logistical operation in the Civil War cannot be overstated. Besides being headquarters for the United States Armies, City Point was the supply base for the Union forces fighting at Petersburg and Richmond. Immediately upon their arrival the 900-member United States Railroad Construction Corps began building the warehouses and wharves needed for supplies and war material needed for the 100,000 soldiers in the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James.
The City Point Railroad, built in 1838, was repaired and eventually extended south and west of Petersburg. City Point once again had a rail link to Petersburg, except it now linked the military supply depot with soldiers on the front lines. In just twenty-two days the army had completed the first stage of the railroad and had the trains operating on a full schedule.
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 18.942′ N, 77° 16.55′ W. Marker was in Hopewell, Virginia. Marker was on Pecan Avenue west of Prince Henry Avenue, on the left when traveling east. This marker is located in the City Point Unit of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Hopewell VA 23860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named City Point's Rails And Waterways (here, next to this marker); The Peacemaker (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic City Point (within shouting distance of this marker); One Soldier, One Family, One War (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
2. City Point’s Rails And Waterways CWT Marker on Pecan Avenue (facing east).
The house in the background is "Bonaccord" circa 1837-1844.
More about this marker. On the upper center of the panel is a period photo with the caption, "Railroad depot buildings are the focal point of this A.J. Russell photograph. The circular Sibley tents and smaller wall tents probably were occupied by Construction Corps employees."
On the upper right is a photo of the railroad depot with the caption, "Only three days after Grant's arrival and the Union army's initial attack on the Confederate line at Petersburg, The U.S. Military Railroad Construction Corps moved into City Point. The two to three thousand Construction Corps workers were quartered throughout the area. An additional 1,600 carpenters, blacksmiths, and laborers were employed in the quartermaster repair shops. Eight large barracks stood on the north side of Pierce Street, just above the intersection of Pierce and Water Streets."
On the lower right is a photo of a locomotive. The caption reads, "Railroad cars were brought in from the north to provide rolling stock for the line. The cars, loaded to capacity, operated on a regular schedule carrying supplies to the front siege-lines around Petersburg eight miles away."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "City Point's Rails And Waterways".
Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. City Point. (Submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Petersburg National Battlefield - City Point Unit. United States Military Railroad. (Submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
3. US Army Quartermaster Foundation - Quartermaster Professional Bulletin - Spring 1991. “City Point: The Tool That Gave General Grant Victory” by Captain Robert O. Zinnen, Jr. (Submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
3. City Point’s Rails And Waterways CWT Marker on Pecan Avenue (facing west).
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
4. Rail line still in use on Water Street.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009
5. Railroad bed from City Point to Petersburg.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher
6. Old City Point Waterfront Park on Water Street.
Site of one half mile of wharves and route of U.S. Military Railroad.
circa 1865
7. City Point, Virginia. Ordnance wharf
Library of Congress [LC-B811- 2581]
![[City Point, Va. Another locomotive at the same point.] image. Click for full size.](Photos/66/Photo66375.jpg?11252005 "[City Point, Va. Another locomotive at the same point.]. Click for full size.")
circa 1865
8. [City Point, Va. Another locomotive at the same point.]
Library of Congress [LC-B811- 2513]
1861/1869
9. City Point, Virginia. Barracks of Military Railroad Construction Corps
This is a period photo of the eight large barracks north of Pierce Street described on the CWT panel. Library of Congress [LC-B811- 2598]
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,850 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
