Gloucester Point in Gloucester County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia's First Shots in the Civil War

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2010

1. Virginia's First Shots in the Civil War Marker

Inscription. The Confederate army recognized that Gloucester Point was critical to Virginia's river defense. The Point had been continuously fortified since 1667.

In an opening action of the Civil War, the first shots in Virginia were fired on May 3, 1861 when the USS Yankee sailed upriver and fired on Confederates here at Gloucester Point.

The Richmond Howitzers stationed on the Point returned fire and the Yankee withdrew to the river's mouth. Within a year, Union forces took control of the Point and maintained control of the county for the rest of the war.

Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1861.

Location. 37° 14.723′ N, 76° 30.264′ W. Marker is in Gloucester Point, Virginia, in Gloucester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Greate Road (Virginia Route 1208) and Franklin Road. This marker is located in the Gloucester Point Beach parking area under the Coleman Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gloucester Point VA 23062, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Middle Peninsula

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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: Freedom is Won (a few steps from this marker); Harvesting Nature's Bounty (a few steps

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from this marker); Port of Call (within shouting distance of this marker); To Get to the Other Side (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Nature Comes Calling (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia Institute of Marine Science (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Port of Call (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gloucester Point (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester Point.

More about this marker. The background is a print entitled "The Siege of Yorktown, April 1862." On the right is a photo of a "Gloucester Point Water Battery-1862."

The siege of Yorktown, April 1862 image. Click for full size.

C. Worret 20. N.Y.R. Lith. by E. Sachse & Co., Baltimore, circa 1862

2. The siege of Yorktown, April 1862

Library of Congress [G3884.Y6S5 1862 .W6 CW 673.7]

Confederate fortifications at Gloucester Point, Va., opposite Yorktown, Va. image. Click for full size.

circa 1862

3. Confederate fortifications at Gloucester Point, Va., opposite Yorktown, Va.

Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-76208]

York River (north bank) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2010

4. York River (north bank)

Gloucester Point Beach image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2010

5. Gloucester Point Beach

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,605 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on April 25, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.