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

Trench Warfare

& Dutch Gap Canal, 1864-1918

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 24, 2025

1. Trench Warfare Marker

Inscription.
The Union Army of the James under General Benjamin Butler came to "Dutch Gap" in the summer of 1864 to begin digging a military canal. The first regiment, the 169th NY Infantry and the 1st NY Engineers immediately took casualties from Confederate artillery fire. The last unit assigned here was the 116th United States Colored Troops, who experienced much the same. Because of constant artillery fire, the men fortified the earth. Civil War soldiers often utilized sandbags and other revetments for further protection inside their ground defenses.

A half century later, 1917-1918, soldiers from the 80th Division, organizing at nearby Camp Lee, came to this same ground for artillery and engineer training. In observation posts overlooking Dutch Gap Canal, "doughboy" artillerymen would use Morse Code to communicate fire from batteries to the range nearby. The 80th - men from Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania - shipped off to serve in the trenches and sandbagged positions in France in WWI.

After 47 days in combat in 1918, the 80th Division lost approximately 6000 men killed and wounded.

Erected by Henricus Historical

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Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 37° 22.505′ N, 77° 21.636′ W. Marker is in Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It can be reached from Henricus Park Road 1.3 miles east of Coxendale Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the Henricus Historical Park interpretive trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Henricus Park Road, 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

Trench Warfare Marker & Replica Trench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 24, 2025

2. Trench Warfare Marker & Replica Trench

The trench pattern represents the deep, narrow style used in The Great War.

within walking distance of this marker: Grave Holes (ca. 1864) (within shouting distance of this marker); Field Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Henricopolis (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Changes Over Time (about 500 feet away); The Bermuda Hundred Campaign (about 500 feet away); The Lightkeeper’s House (about 500 feet away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (about 500 feet away); Mortar Pit (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a wooden plank by a reconstructed display trench but the text itself is a laminated sheet nailed on the plank. Nevertheless, this marker is part of the interpretation of that side of the park, along with two other similarly constructed signs.

Regarding Trench Warfare. There is a replica WWI trench built behind this marker. Outside the confines of Henricus Historical Park are Federal earthworks dating to 1864 that are visible right along the western edge of the trail leading to the Dutch Gap Canal overlook. Visitors to Henricus Historical Park will see the earthworks when walking

Replica Trench Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 24, 2025

3. Replica Trench Interior

back to the parking lot along that trail; visitors who do not go through Henricus Historical Park will first see the earthworks on their left when walking from the parking lot out to the overlook.

Also see . . . Henricus Historical Park. (Submitted on July 16, 2025.)

Federal Civil War Earthworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 24, 2025

4. Federal Civil War Earthworks

These eroded works are on the side of the public (fee-free) path from the parking lot out to the overlook and picnic area overlooking Dutch Gap Canal. These run directly parallel to Henricus Historical Park's western perimeter fence.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 24, 2025

5. Federal Civil War Earthworks

Eroded Civil War earthworks on the southern half of the free public trail between the parking lot and Dutch Gap Canal overlook. On the opposite side is a steep, severe drop off to a flat lowland. Compared to the WWI replica trench, these Civil War relics relied more on above ground protection of soldiers, whereas the Great War earthworks relied on getting as low to ground level as possible.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.