Indian Massacre of 1622

March 22, 1622

Opechancanough, a Powhatan leader, led coordinated attacks on English settlers throughout the Virginia Colony on March 22, 1622. At least 74 settlers were killed across 11 plantations in the Prince George area. Survivors abandoned six of the 11 plantations attacked, and many fled to safety at Flowerdew Hundred and Jordan’s Journey. The one-day attack started the Second Anglo-Powhatan War.

Third Anglo-Powhatan War

April 1644 to October 1646

The Powhatan Confederacy, with Opechancanough as its paramount chief, made one last attempt to push English settlers out of Virginia. Approximately 400 colonists were killed, but the Virginia Indians ultimately failed. The Powhatan Confederacy was considerably weakened and eventually dissolved with a new tributary system being established. Virginia Indians were treated as quasi-subjects of Great Britain, paying tributes to the colonial government to continue living and trading in Virginia. Due to the attacks, several posts were authorized by the General Assembly to be built throughout the colony in 1645 and 1646. In 1646, Fort Henry was built at the falls of the Appomattox River in Prince George County in the area that later became Petersburg.

American Revolutionary War

April 1775 to September 1783

January 1781 – Hood’s Battery

Hood’s Battery was a two-gun battery located on John Hood’s plantation overlooking the James River.  As Benedict Arnold’s fleet sailed up the James River to attack Richmond, the battery and fleet exchanged cannon fire. The battery did not hold the ships back and they sailed to Richmond. On the return from Richmond, the British dismantled Hood’s Battery and took the cannons with them.

April 25, 1781 – British Attack on Petersburg

British Major General William Philips and his troops marched through Prince George County to attack Americans defending Petersburg. The battle ended in British victory, but Phillips died on May 13 after a serious illness and was buried at Blandford Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Late 1781 – Fort Hood

A more substantial fortification was built at the location of Hood’s Battery named Fort Hood. It was completed after the Revolutionary War ended and was never used.

War of 1812

June 18, 1812 to February 18, 1815

1814 – Fort Powhatan

Fort Powhatan was established in 1808 at the Fort Hood site. It was viewed as a strategic point on the James River and was meant to protect Richmond from the British when the War of 1812 started. By 1814, it was strengthened with 22 guns. However, it was never attacked and was eventually abandoned by the 1830s.

American Civil War

April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865

1861 – Prince George Cavalry

The Prince George Cavalry organized at the Prince George County Courthouse under the command of Captain Edmund Ruffin, Jr. The cavalry later occupied Fort Powhatan.

1862 – Petersburg Defenses

Under the command of Charles H. Dimmock, fortifications were constructed around the city of Petersburg, with ten miles of entrenchments, including 55 artillery batteries, surrounding the city to the east, south, and west. Many of these defenses were built in Prince George County.

1862 to 1864 – Fort Powhatan Back in Action

Confederate forces began to occupy and refortify Fort Powhatan in 1862 to repel any Union attempts to advance up the James River to take Richmond. Union forces managed to seize the fort, destroying much of it. In 1864, black Union regiments occupied the fort and repelled a Confederate cavalry attack.

June 14 to June 17, 1864 – Grant Enters Prince George County

General Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign through Virginia began in May. Reaching the James River on June 14, engineers constructed an 11-foot wide, 2,100-foot-long pontoon bridge from Weyanoke Point on the north bank to Windmill Point at Flowerdew Hundred on the south bank, near the location of Fort Powhatan. The bridge is completed in nine hours. From June 15 to 17, 40 percent of Grant’s army crossed into Prince George County over the bridge. The subsequent combat and nine-month occupation brought devastation not only to the landscape but to the social, political. and economic infrastructure of the Prince George region.

June 15, 1864 – Grant Establishes Headquarters at City Point

General Ulysses S. Grant arrived at and took control of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, the City Point Railroad, and the deep-water port at City Point. There, he established his headquarters and a major logistics base in Appomattox Manor. While the United States Army occupied City Point, it became the largest port operation in the Western Hemisphere.

June 15, 1864 – Battle of Baylor’s Farm

Union General William F. “Baldy” Smith ordered a division of African American soldiers led by General Edward W. Hinks to move against Confederate lines just outside of Petersburg. Earthworks, supported by artillery and cavalrymen, were constructed by the Confederates along City Point Road, making any Union movement from City Point to Petersburg difficult. Smith commanded Hinks to overtake this position to eventually reach Petersburg. As the attack ensued, the black soldiers faced unexpected resistance from the Confederates. However, the troops regrouped and managed to overtake the fortification. The skirmish lasted roughly two hours, and the Union suffered approximately 300 casualties. Smith’s advance on Petersburg was delayed by the engagement, and it bought time for the Confederate army to regroup and strengthen Petersburg’s defenses against the Union advances. Despite victories like this, Grant’s forces failed to capture the city, and ultimately the Siege of Petersburg began.

More Information: www.battlefields.org and www.virginia.org

June 21 to June 23, 1864 – Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road

In this first battle of the Petersburg Campaign, Union forces attempted to extend their siege lines to and west to further cut off Southern rail supply lines. In attempting to reach the railroads, Grant’s infantry forces were slowed by the difficult, swampy terrain of Prince George. A gap opened between two of the army’s corps, and the Confederates decided to attack what they saw as a prime target. In the ensuing assault, the Union forces were ultimately repelled from taking and destroying the railroads. The Union suffered 2,962 casualties, while the Confederacy suffered 572. The battle ended inconclusively, with both sides gaining and losing. Despite only a small portion of rail lines being destroyed, Grant continued his effort to push the siege lines west. Confederates managed to hold back Union advance for a time, but the Siege of Petersburg continued.

More Information: www.battlefields.org and www.nps.gov

July 30, 1864 – Battle of the Crater

In an attempt to break Confederate lines at Petersburg, Union forces dug a mine more than 500 feet long to place explosives under the Confederate fortification Elliot’s Salient. On the morning of July 30, 320 kegs, or 8,000 pounds, of gunpowder was ignited under the defenses. A large crater was created, and a gap in the Confederate line opened. Union forces, however, ran into the crater rather than around it. The Confederates quickly regrouped and counterattacked. The breach was sealed, and many of the Union troops were trapped in the crater and killed. The battle ended as a complete loss for the Union, becoming the final of many embarassments for Major General Ambrose Burnside and the eventual ruin for Major General George Meade. The Union suffered nearly 4,000 casualties, while the Confederacy suffered 1,500. While it was a Union defeat, the lines did not move, and the Siege of Petersburg continued.

More Information: www.battlefields.org and www.nps.gov

September 14 to September 17, 1864 – The Beefsteak Raid

Confederate supplies had dwindled drastically by 1864, and food replenishments were often limited. It was learned that the Union had some 3,000 cattle at Coggins Point. While behind Union lines, the cattle were not strongly defended. Confederate Major General Wade Hampton led a force of 3,000 men south of Petersburg and Union trenches to circle north behind Union lines. Attacking with surprise and using a three-prong strike, Hamptons men captured 2, 468 head of cattle. Despite the raid being a success, there was no real strategic advantage. Due to the lack of supplies, there was no hay or grain to feed the cattle. Thus, cattle had to be slaughtered upon their arrival to Confederate lines. A race ensued to consume the beef before it spoiled, as preservatives like salt were also scarce. Confederate troops managed to enjoy what beef they could before the rest spoiled, but they then immediately returned to their poor and limited food situation.

More Information: www.wadehamptoncamp.org and www.beyondthecrater.com

March 25, 1865 – Battle of Fort Stedman

In a last-ditch effort, Confederate troops led by Major General John Gordon attacked Union lines at Petersburg in an attempt to break the Siege. Though Gordon’s men succeeded at first, they were ultimately driven back by Union forces commanded by Major General John Parke. The battle ended in Union victory, and no impact was made on the Union lines. The Confederacy suffered 4,000 casualties and the Union suffered 1,044. President Abraham Lincoln was present for the battle, visiting men before and after.

More Information: www.battlefields.org and www.nps.gov

World War I

July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918

Summer 1917 – Camp Lee Creation

Just eighteen days after joining World War I, the United States federal government claimed 8,900 acres of Prince George County land for a new state mobilization. Construction began in June, and Camp Lee was designated in July. Named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Camp Lee became a large training installation and hub for the United States military.

1919 – End of Camp Lee

After the war, Camp Lee closed and went into the ownership of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land was designated as a nature reserve.

World War II

September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945

October 1940 – A New Camp Lee

With war raging in Europe, the United States government authorized the construction of a new Camp Lee on the site of the previous installation.