Guarding A Lifeline

Guarding A Lifeline. . The Richmond and Danville Railroad was a lifeline for Lee's army and the people in the cities of Richmond and Petersburg and the outlying countryside. The railroad crossed the Staunton River less than 500 yards east of here on a covered bridge., Gun crews occupied these small earthworks and helped guard the bridge. The main artillery guarding it was located in the larger earthworks overlooking the bridge's south end. The Confederates were in charge of a battery of six guns, one 3-inch rifled gun, two smooth bore 12-pounders and three iron six-pounders., "A gallant Confederate officer..." , Captain Farinholt, commander of the forces at Staunton River Battlefield, was from West Point, Virginia. As a member of the 53rd Virginia Infantry he gallantly fought for his beloved south. Captain Farinholt was wounded and "captured at Gettysburg while leading his company in that memorable charge of Pickett's Division on the ill-fated 3rd day of July 1863." He escaped from a Union prison on February 22, 1864. Upon reporting for duty in Richmond following his courageous escape from prison, he was congratulated by Confederate President Jefferson Davis himself. Farinholt's successful defeat of Union forces at Staunton River Bridge earned his promotion to Colonel., (captions) , Earthworks Courtesy of the US Army Military History Institute , Authentic Civil War Illustrations / C.S. Grafton , Captain Farinholt, 53rd Virginia Infantry , Tent Stake , Confederate President Jefferson Davis Courtesy of the Library of Virginia