Civil War Reenactment

Fort Pocahontas

While biking on the Virginia Capital Trail I noticed signs just beyond the 15-mile marker at Sturgeon Point Road for Fort Pocahontas. I followed the signs off the trail once out of curiosity and eventually came to a closed gate where there was nothing to see but another sign. Last year I discovered that Fort Pocahontas is the site for a large annual Civil War battle reenactment in early June. We eventually drove over one day last year to see the reenactment, but we arrived in late afternoon when all activities had ended. This year we planned better and arrived in the morning with time to explore and see everything.

The fort is located on beautiful forested land on the James River well separated from modern buildings. It sits on a relatively high piece of ground above a deep water landing once known as Wilson's Wharf. After navigating winding gravel roads we came to a parking area and paid a modest admission fee. Then we were free to roam around on foot into an 1864 world.

Hundreds of reeanactors had arrived to recreate the Civil War battle known as "The Action at Wilson's Wharf" on May 24th, 1864. (More about the battle below.) As we walked onto the site reenactors were gathering for group photos. The Confederate cavalry were impressive lined up together. The Confederate infantry and families all came together in their motley collection of clothing.

On a different field Union troops, all in standard uniforms, also lined up for photos and gun practice. When they all fired rifles simultaneously it was quite a loud show!

There are actually a surprising number of surviving Civil War earthworks scattered around my home in Virginia. For hundreds of years Fort Pocahontas' earthworks were well preserved by overgrowing vines. This allowed restoration to original appearance. One section of the restored fort is shown in the next three pictures. 

Additional barriers like this abatis discouraged infantry assaults.

What makes the Action at Wilson's Wharf particularly significant is the presence of thousands of African-American Union troops defending the fort. It was the first major battle to test these troops, and they performed admirably. A direct descendant of one of these heroic soldiers gave a talk before the battle reenactment began, and several other direct descendants attended in the audience. These soldiers were represented by some of the reenactors shown below in the Union camp.

We strolled through the Union campground. Aside from an occasional unobtrusive porta-potty, we might have seen similar scenes in 1864.

Within the camp an expert recreated authentic 1864 meals and cooking.

I previously mentioned how the site was located on a high bluff along the James River. The next picture shows reenactors who chose a particularly scenic campsite looking out over the James.

A few medical tents distributed among the campgrounds displayed amputated limbs and gruesome period medical instruments.

After leaving the Union camp I came upon the Binford House shown in the next picture below. If I understand the situation correctly, this house stands on the grounds of an original 1700's house owned by the Kennon family. Later, the Wilson farm was established in 1835 and had a house at this location. The Wilson house burned down in 1876. The Binford house in the picture below was moved to the present location in 2000 and renovated. The Binford house, from Southhampton County, VA, is a 1700's house similar to the Wilson house.

Folks who owned land along the James River long ago knew how to pick beautiful spots for houses. There was a lovely river view from the Binford house backyard! A museum within the house was open for inspection, but there wasn't enough time to visit before the battle reenactment was scheduled to start.

Not far from the Binford house on the approach to the Confederate camp two merchants set up their 1864 establishments.

Amusing signs described goods and services.

The Confederate camp seemed a bit less attractive than the Union camp. Each campsite looked less well equipped as if the occupants were less wealthy than their Union counterparts.

One tent belonged to two ladies who mended and washed clothes. They asked if I would like my clothes washed and offered half price on my "half pants" because I was wearing shorts! As I chuckled about the shorts description I turned around to a startling sight. The following character suddenly appeared before me as if he had dropped out of nowhere from a time machine.

This particular reeanactor was portraying Delegate Robert Eden Scott, a Virginia House of Delegates member representing Fauquier County. He lived from April 23, 1808 to May 3, 1862, so he actually died before the 1864 battle reenactment. He was a slave owner who attended the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 where he ultimately voted to support secession and stood on the wrong side of history. He died at his farm in 1862 where he was killed by Union deserters.

Confederate cavalry horses were kept within the Confederate camp.

The battle reenactment was scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. We made our way to a large tent where spectators were safely confined a short distance away from the battlefield action. There we heard some informative talks about the land, the soldiers, and the history of this particular battle. A direct descendant of President John Tyler described how his father purchased the land to prevent its development and arranged for the renovation. An African-American Union soldier reeanactor told us more about the African-American troops who fought bravely in the battle.

When the battle reeanactment actually began a knowledgeable woman narrated battle events as they took place. In 1864 about 1,000 Union soldiers withstood the attack of about 2,500 Confederate troops and held the fort. The Confederates, led by Major General Fitzhugh Lee, a nephew of Robert E. Lee, eventually withdrew and gave up. When Fitzhugh Lee demanded the fort's surrender, the fort commander, Brigadier General Edward Wild, replied "Present my compliments to General Fitz Lee and tell him to go to hell."

The battle reeanactment featured a few hundred participants, many fewer than the thousands in the 1864 clash. Loud rifle and artillery fire assaulted our ears as participants maneuvered around the battlefield. Clouds of smelly gunpowder smoke drifted around. When Confederate cavalry formed together and charged with drawn swords it was quite impressive! It was frightening to imagine being a foot soldier in the path of so many charging horses. Unfortunately, I have very few still photos of the battle because I recorded mostly videos to include sounds and action. The next image below doesn't really capture the full cavalry group aligned for the charge.

Two other battle images show at least a large portion of the battlefield with troops spread out and gunsmoke in the air. They also show three girls in brightly colored dresses who played the role of "ice angels". These young women behind the lines would bring cold water to soldiers, especially wounded ones.

I'm so glad we made the effort to see this event. It was an interesting way to spend a few hours on a beautiful sunny day.