University of Virginia Library

UP THE JAMES RIVER.

Virginia was now, as had been foreseen, to become the great battle
ground of the war. To reach the Confederate capital by land or water
was the aim of every movement of the Federal army in the east
Chesapeake bay and James river, the water approaches to Richmond,
were henceforth to be the scene of all naval engagements of any
importance on Virginia waters.

After the abandonment of Yorktown, May 3, 1862, and of Norfolk
(May 10th), the James river squadron moved slowly up that river,
skirmishing with the advancing Federal fleet. The Nansemond and
Hampton, gunboats built at the Norfolk navy yard, were sent to Richmond.
Two other boats nearly finished, and greatly superior to any
in the fleet, were burned with the yard. As McClellan advanced on the
peninsula, the Federal fleet moved from Hampton Roads up the James.
On May 8th the fleet shelled Fort Huger, at Hardy's Bluff, three hours
without driving out its garrison. The defense was conducted by Capt.
J. M. Maury, Confederate States Navy. The next day an engagement
came off between shore batteries and the Federal boats, in which the
Patrick Henry and the Jamestown assisted the batteries.

These and other slight engagements affording only a temporary check
to the advance of the Federal fleet, the anticipation was awakened in
the North that the fleet would reach Richmond without encountering
serious opposition. But the Confederates were using the time to good
advantage, concentrating their forces and strengthening their defenses
at Drewry's Bluff, to give battle there. This bluff, on the right bank of
the James, about seven miles below Richmond, was an admirable point
for defense, having great natural advantages. It has an elevation of
about two hundred feet above the river, which at this point is only
one mile wide. Preparations for defense there had been begun with one

battery mounting three guns. In April the first obstructions were
placed in the river. Piles were driven into the bottom, and filled in with
logs, stones and iron rubbish. On the approach of the enemy's boats,
the Jamestown, Curtis Peck, Northampton, and several smaller boats
were sunk in the channel. The earthworks previously constructed were
extended. In addition to the three guns of the first battery, a number
of heavy navy guns were mounted. Rifle pits for sharp shooters were
dug on the opposite bank of the James. A heavy battery at Chapin's
Bluff, a few miles down on the left bank of the river, was commanded
by Lieut. T. J. Page.