Historical Marker

The Canal and the Civil War

Historical marker location:
470 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia
( Marker can be reached from Tredegar Street, 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street.)

  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.

The Virginia Company, a joint-stock company that funded the Jamestown colony, was the first company to be traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Virginia random facts
Richmond County, Virginia, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Powhatan Confederacy. English settlers arrived in the early 17th century, establishing Virginia as one of the original thirteen colonies. In 1692, Richmond County was formally established and named after Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, who was a friend of Governor Edmund Andros.

During the colonial period, Richmond County played a significant role in the tobacco economy that fueled Virginia's growth. Large plantations emerged, with enslaved Africans being brought to the area to work the labor-intensive crops. The county's location along the Rappahannock River also made it an important shipping and trading hub, connecting the region to international markets.

As the American Revolution unfolded, Richmond County residents were divided in their loyalties. Some supported the Patriot cause and joined the Continental Army, while others remained loyal to the British Crown. The county saw several skirmishes and military actions during the war, including the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek in 1781.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Richmond County experienced significant changes. The decline of the tobacco economy and the gradual abolition of slavery led to a shift towards other agricultural products. Manufacturing and industry also began to play a role in the county's economy. The Civil War and Reconstruction era brought further challenges, and Richmond County, like much of the South, experienced economic hardships and social upheaval. Despite these challenges, the resilient community of Richmond County continued to evolve and adapt, shaping the vibrant and diverse region that exists today.

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

  • 1608 - Captain John Smith explores the area and encounters Native American tribes.
  • 1682 - Richmond County is established as part of the new English colony of Virginia.
  • 1692 - The county seat is established in what is now Warsaw.
  • 1705 - The colonial government designates Richmond County as one of the original eight shires in Virginia.
  • 1742 - Stratford Hall, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is completed in Westmoreland County, which was a part of Richmond County at the time.
  • 1763 - Richmond County is divided, with a section becoming a separate county called Westmoreland.
  • 1830 - The Richmond County Courthouse, now a historic landmark, is built in Warsaw.
  • 1861-1865 - Richmond County, like much of Virginia, is deeply impacted by the American Civil War as it serves as a major battleground.
  • 1875 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway begins passenger and freight service in Richmond County.
  • 1929 - The Robert O. Norris Bridge is completed, connecting Richmond County to neighboring Lancaster County.
  • 1988 - Stratford Hall is designated a National Historic Landmark.