Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Civil War at Belle Isle
An Infamous Prisoner of War Camp
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
1. The Civil War at Belle Isle Marker
In 1861, Virginia seceded from the United States and Richmond became the capital of the Confederate States of America. The James River was an important waterway for military uses, and Belle Isle was fortified with defensive gun placements that protected the city from a river approach. The remains of the gun placements can be found on the western edge of the island. Across the James, you can see Tredegar Iron Works, where the Confederacy built many of its largest guns and cannons.
During the Civil War, an infamous prisoner of war (POW) camp was located here. Designed to hold 3,000 prisoners, it was packed at times with as many as 10,000 Union soldiers. By the time the Confederacy surrendered in 1865, more than 20,000 POWs had spent time here.
"A part of the prisoners possessed mildewed, ragged tents, through which the wind and rain passed freely, but the larger portion had no shelter whatever."
- General Neal Dow, 19th Maine
"Men became, under such surroundings, indifferent to almost everything, except their own miseries.
- Warren Lee Goss
Gunner, 2nd Massachusetts
(caption)
Prison Camp at Belle Isle, 1864
The camp here was designed to hold 3,000 prisoners. As the war dragged on, the camp grew overcrowded and conditions became unbearable. Image Source: The Illustrated London News, April 9, 1864
Erected by Friends
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 31.839′ N, 77° 27.068′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Belle and Mayo Islands. It can be reached from Tredegar Street west of Brown Island Way, on the left when traveling west. Belle Isle can be reached on foot via the Belle Isle Suspension Bridge from Tredegar Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23225, 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 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James River Fall Line
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
2. POW Camp Area
The reconstructed berm outlines the western perimeter of the prisoner camp. Field guns would have been on the hill to the left. The marker is at the base of that hill, facing the field.
Other markers no longer nearby. Historic Belle Isle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Power of Moving Water (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Civil War POW Camp (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canons & Corpses (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Historic Belle Isle (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Cannon over the Camp (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Old Dominion Iron & Steel Company
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
3. Union POW Memorial Tablet & Camp Area
Regarding The Civil War at Belle Isle. The gun positions (emplacements, rather than placements, would be the appropriate term if guns were ever mounted) on the western end of the island referenced on the marker were never armed. However, field guns were sited on the low hill overlooking the camp. The POW camp today is outlined in a reconstructed berm built by the park system to replicate the deadline earthwork that was used to contain prisoners in the open field area.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Old Markers Near This Location titled "Civil War POW Camp" and "Canon over the Camp".
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
4. Upper Confederate Gun Pit
The upper of the two gun pits dug into the bluff on the western side of the island is filled with thorns just east of the footpath ringing the bluff's edge.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
5. Lower Confederate Gun Pit
The lower of the two gun pits dug into the bluff on the western side of the island appears to be the distinct depression just south of the wooden footbridge topping the cliff over the quarry pond.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
6. Emptied POW Cemetery
A previous marker in this vicinity described that this area was originally a cemetery for Union POWs. Post-war, burials here were exhumed and moved to Richmond National Cemetery. The area is still marked by a granite arrangement roughly in the shape of a cross, but is not thought to contain any remaining burials. Though the cemetery is not mentioned on the new marker, this corner of land was a tragic part of the POW Camp.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
