Near Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Finishing Fort Drewry
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010
1. Finishing Fort Drewry Marker
Immediately after the battle, men of Chesterfield County’s own Southside Artillery, along with others, worked to strengthen the fort. The section before you was likely their first project. Eventually the earthworks around you formed an enclosed fort, armed with as many as eight large guns. Although the defenses at Drewry’s Bluff became more and more powerful, the fort never fired another shot in anger.“Don’t a man leave for the quarters, for I want you to fix up these parapets that have been knocked down, and those sand-bags torn to pieces must be replaced and get ready for them, for the boats will probably be back here again in two hours.”
Capt. Augustus Drewry, commanding Southside Artillery, quoted by Sgt. Samuel A. Mann
Erected 2010 by Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 25.314′ N, 77° 25.313′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Perfect Gibraltar (here, next to this marker); Hot Shot and Wooden Ships (a few steps from this marker); The USS Monitor (within shouting distance of this marker); May 15, 1862—The Battle of Drewry's Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Drewry’s Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Duty Above and Beyond (within shouting distance of this marker); Covered Way (within shouting distance of this marker); "A Very Neat Chapel" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. The background of this panel is period photograph with the caption, "This 1865 photograph was made from where you now stand. The Union soldier rests in the doorway of a “bombproof” that provided shelter during heavy bombardment. The fort’s well and hand pump are visible in the foreground. The bombproof and well have long since collapsed, and the gun position to the right now stands vacant."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Bombproof and Well".
Also see . . .
1. Drewry’s Bluff. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Drewry’s Bluff. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010
2. Fort Drewry (Fort Darling) Interior
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010
3. Collapsed Bombproof
1865
4. Drewry's Bluff, Va. Interior of Fort Darling (Confederate) on the James
Library of Congress [LC-B811-3345]
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
