Flowerdew Hundred
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The American Civil War came to Flowerdew Hundred Plantation, a James River plantation, after the battle of Cold Harbor when the Lieutenant General, Commanding General of the Armies of the United States Ulysses S. Grant orders his men to cross the James River in an effort to flank Gen. Robert E. Lee. As part of the Overland Campaign, the Corps of Engineers find a spot with 1992 feet of river and by a remarkable feat of construction build a pontoon bridge in one evening that set a record for a floating bridge. Grant’s Crossing at Flowerdew or Wilcox Landing as it is also known held this record until 1945 and WWII. At least three corps and a supply train 30-50 miles in length crossed the river in about three days heading for City Point and the Siege of Petersburg.
The site of the pontoon bridge was “found” again in 1986 by Eugene Prince and Taft Kiser. Using Prince’s Principle, a simple 35 mm camera, a cypress tree, and an Alexander Gardner photograph taken in 1864, they were able to place the bridge into the modern landscape.
Today, Flowerdew Hundred plantation has extensive archaeological sites, tours, and a museum. The address is 1617 Flowerdew Hundred Road, Hopewell, Virginia.
[edit] References
- Hannum, Warren T., "The Crossing of the James River in 1864", The Military Engineer. 1932. Vol. XV. No. 81. P. 229-237.
- Prince, Eugene. "Antiquity" 1988. Vol. 62, No. 234. P. 113-116.
