Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Belle Isle

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

1. Belle Isle Marker

Inscription. During the winter of 1863-1864, the island visible from this spot held up to 8,000 Union army prisoners.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, prisoners poured into Richmond. Camps built only as transport stations soon became permanent. Over the course of the war, several thousand Belle Isle prisoners died, many during the harsh winter of 1863, when the entire city was overcrowded and undersupplied.

Erected by Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 37° 32.055′ N, 77° 26.671′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. It can be reached from the intersection of South 5th Street and Tredegar Street. This marker is on the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk on Brown's Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

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 walking distance of this marker: Three Days in April 1865 (a few steps from this marker); Haxall Headgates (within shouting distance of this marker); Potterfield Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal Walk / Historic Canals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tredegar Iron Works

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(about 300 feet away); Hurricane Agnes (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Tredegar Iron Works (about 400 feet away); Freedom Monument (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Joseph Reid Anderson (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk. Venture Richmond (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

2. Brown’s Island. Events, Island history, and directions. (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

3. Belle Isle Prison. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

4. The American Civil War Museum. (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)

Belle Isle is visible in the distance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

2. Belle Isle is visible in the distance.

View of city from Belle Isle; gun in foreground. image. Click for full size.

1865

3. View of city from Belle Isle; gun in foreground.

Richmond as seen from Belle Island image. Click for full size.

circa 1864

4. Richmond as seen from Belle Island

Library of Congress [LC-DIG-ppmsca-22920]

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 27, 2026

5. Belle Isle

Viewed from the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,452 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.