Historical Marker

Civil War Action At Mathias Point

Historical marker location:
Dahlgren, Virginia
( Marker is on James Madison Parkway (U.S. 301) 0.3 miles north of Barnsfield Road, on the left when traveling north.)
Marker installed: 2009

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

In 1954, the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, originated from a lawsuit filed by parents in Virginia.
Virginia random facts
King George County, located in Virginia, has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Rappahannock and Potomac. In 1608, Captain John Smith ventured into the region and established friendly relations with the local tribes, marking the first recorded contact between Europeans and the indigenous people.

In 1673, King Charles II of England granted a charter establishing Westmoreland County, which included the land that would later become King George County. Over time, the land was divided further, and in 1720, King George County was officially formed. It was named in honor of King George I of Great Britain.

During the Revolutionary War in the late 18th century, King George County played a significant role in the fight for independence. The county's location along the Potomac River made it a strategic point for military operations. Patriots from King George County actively participated in various battles, and the area saw notable events like the Gunston Hall Resolution, which called for independence from British rule.

In the following centuries, King George County evolved from an agricultural society to a more diverse economy. The construction of the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren in the 1910s brought new opportunities for employment and economic growth. Today, King George County continues to thrive as a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, while also cherishing its historical roots and maintaining a vibrant community.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of King George County, Virginia.

  • 1720 - King George County is established by the Virginia General Assembly.
  • 1721 - The courthouse in the newly established King George County is completed.
  • 1732 - The famous writer George Washington is born in King George County.
  • 1751 - The county gains national prominence when George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, passes away.
  • 1777 - King George County is divided to form a new county called Stafford County.
  • 1814 - During the War of 1812, British forces invade the county and burn several buildings.
  • 1846 - The Rappahannock Academy is established in King George County.
  • 1861 - King George County residents voluntarily join the Confederate cause during the American Civil War.
  • 1901 - The Potomac River Fisheries Commission is created with the goal of protecting and managing fish populations in the region, including King George County.
  • 1942 - Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center is established in King George County.