Near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The War of 1812 / Richmond's War of 1812 Defensive Camps
The War of 1812. Impressment of Americans into British service and the violation of American ships were among the causes of America’s War of 1812 with the British, which lasted until 1815. Beginning in 1813, Virginians suffered from a British naval blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and from British troops plundering the countryside by the Bay and along the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac Rivers. The Virginia militia deflected a British attempt to take Norfolk in 1813 and engaged British forces throughout the war. By the end of the war, more than 2,000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia had gained their freedom aboard British ships.
Richmond's War of 1812 Defensive Camps. During the War of 1812, Virginia established militia encampments in eastern Henrico County to gaurd against possible British invasion. About a mile northeast of here was Camp Holly Springs (April 1813 - Feb. 1815), commanded briefly by Lt. Col. (later Brig. Gen.) John H. Cocke and afterward by Brig. Gen. Robert Porterfield. Camp Carter (Sept. 1814 to Feb. 1815), under Cocke's command, stood seven miles northeast of here on Williamsburg Road. Two miles east of Camp Carter was Camp Bottoms Bridge (Sept - Nov. 1814), commanded by Brig. Gen. William B. Chamberlayne. These encampments were never threatened by British forces during the war.
Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1815.
Location. 37° 25.87′ N, 77° 19.038′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is at the intersection of New Market Road (Virginia Route 5) and New Market Heights Lane, on the left when traveling east on New Market Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3616 New Market Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of New Market Heights (within shouting distance of this marker); New Market Road (approx. half a mile away); New Market Heights (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named New Market Heights (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named New Market Heights (approx. 0.6 miles away); George Thorpe (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named New Market Heights (approx. 0.7 miles away); Proposed First University in English America (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 972 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.