Chester in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Bermuda Hundred Campaign

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 1, 2025

1. The Bermuda Hundred Campaign Marker

Inscription. Just beyond this field stood the Cobb's Hill Signal Tower, also known as Butler's Signal Tower. The tower stood 110 feet tall and was located next to Fort Zabriskie. It was used to communicate with troops along the James River and Appomattox River. In 1864, the Confederates attempted to shell the tower with a rifled Whitworth gun located near Ruffin Mill, just west of here. Over 90 rounds were fired, but none hit the tower. Abraham Lincoln visited the tower site in 1865.

Erected by Chesterfield County, and Blue & Gray Education Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 37° 19.352′ N, 77° 21.16′ W. Marker is in Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It can be reached from Enon Church Road 0.1 miles south of Enon Church Road, on the right. Marker is in R. Garland Dodd Park near the soccer fields. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Enon Church Rd, Chester VA 23836, 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 walking distance of this marker: Grant's Virginia Campaigns (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Opening Actions of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign (about 700 feet away); The Bermuda Hundred Campaign-Federal Leaders

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Leaders (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bermuda Hundred Campaign Begins (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Point of Rocks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Col. Jno. Bolling of "Cobbs." (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Regarding The Bermuda Hundred Campaign. The signal tower stood across the soccer field on private property. Like Fort Zabriskie, it is completely gone.

Marker & Cobb's Hill Signal Tower Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 1, 2025

2. Marker & Cobb's Hill Signal Tower Location

The tower stood on the private property beyond the fence and soccer field.

Bermuda Hundred, Va. Signal tower on left of the line near the Appomattox River image. Click for full size.

1864

3. Bermuda Hundred, Va. Signal tower on left of the line near the Appomattox River

Library of Congress (LC-DIG-cwpb-01832)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 25, 2025. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.