BGuthrie Photos: VA -- Richmond -- Deep Bottom Landing

VA -- Richmond -- Deep Bottom Landing:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. DEEP_140629_02.JPG: Deep Bottom Park Captain John Smith's Adventures on the James -- www.johnsmithtrail.org -- Fourmile Creek flows into the slender oxbow of the James River here. Oxbows, successive curvatures in the river's course, forced Smith and his men to row long distances on their exploratory trip upstream. Navigating the sharp turns was very difficult when sailing because some portion of every turn required sailing against the wind. The force of water scouring the land as the river changed direction dug deep, narrow channels that left ships vulnerable to attacks by land. Marshes producing plants with edible tubers and seeds are often found in the vicinity of oxbows, like the breadbasket marsh along the mouth of Fourmile Creek. This marsh may have supplied arrow arum, spatterdock and wild rice for the Arrohateck Indians who lived nearby. Capt. John Smith's Trail John Smith knew the James River by its Algonquian name: Powhatan, the same as the region's paramount chief. Smith traveled the river many times between 1607 and 1609, trading with Virginia Indians to ensure survival at Jamestown. What he saw of Virginia's verdant woodlands and pristine waters inspired him to explore the greater Chesapeake Bay, chronicling its natural wonders. Deep Water Pockets Deep Bottom was named for the many unusual, deep water pockets scattered in the James River here, one of which has a depth of 35 feet. Fourmile Creek's flow helps form a rich river delta that supports sycamore, oak and pine trees. Birdlife abounds, with common species ranging from blue grosbeaks to bald eagles. The tiny, bright yellow prothonotary warbler also finds its home in tree cavities here. During the Civil War, a pontoon bridge here linked Federal troops located north and south of the James River. Its steady use began in June 1864, and the Union's Army of the James continued to use this key river crossing until the end of the war.
2. DEEP_140629_14.JPG: Deep Bottom Landing A Vital Link After the Battle of Cold Harbor in June 1864, Grant and Lee shifted their armies to Petersburg; but Grant did not wish to abandon the Richmond front entirely. He had Gen. Benjamin Butler position a small force from his Army of the James here at Deep Bottom Landing to protect the pontoon bridge which allowed Union forces to move back and forth across the James River. As part of an overall strategy to defeat Lee's main army at Petersburg, Federal detachments launched attacks from here on July 25 and August 13, 1864. Stiff Confederate resistance foiled both efforts. On September 29, 1864, a third attempt, spearheaded by two brigades of United States Colored Troops (USCT), resulted in the capture of New Market Heights. The Army of the James continued to use the key river crossing at Deep Bottom until the end of the war.
3. DEEP_140629_20.JPG: First Battle of Deep Bottom July 28, 1864 Gen. Joseph Kershaw's successful attack against Union cavalry along the Long Bridge Road stopped Grant's first advance against Richmond's defenses.
4. DEEP_140629_23.JPG: Second Battle of Deep Bottom August 16, 1864 A desperate Confederate counterattack led by Gen. Lee forced Gen. Birney's command to abandon its position above Fussell's mill pond and once again kept Federal troops contained at Deep Bottom.
5. DEEP_140629_27.JPG: Battle of New Market Heights September 29, 1864 Early morning assaults by USCTs pierced the Confederate entrenchments above Deep Bottom. Union pursuit of the retreating Confederates continued several miles along the New Market Road before being stopped at Richmond's outer defense line.
6. DEEP_140629_30.JPG: The pontoon bridge at Deep Bottom linked Federal troops located north and south of the James River. It saw steady use between June 1864 and April 1865.
Description of Subject Matter: After the Battle of Cold Harbor in June 1864, Grant and Lee shifted their armies to Petersburg; but Grant did not wish to abandon the Richmond front entirely. He had Gen. Benjamin Butler position a small force from his Army of the James here at Deep Bottom Landing to protect the pontoon bridge which allowed Union forces to move back and forth across the James River.
As part of an overall strategy to defeat Lee's main army at Petersburg. Federal detachments launched attacks from here on July 25 and August 13, 1864. Stiff Confederate resistance foiled both efforts. On September 29, 1864, a third attempt, spearheaded by two brigades of United States Colored Troops (USCT), resulted in the capture of New Market Heights. The Army of the James continued to use the key river crossing at Deep Bottom until the end of the war.
First Battle of Deep Bottom (July 28, 1864): Gen. Joseph Kershaw's successful attack against Union cavalry along the Long Bridge Road stopped Grant's first advance against Richmond's defenses.
Second Battle of Deep Bottom (August 16, 1864): A desperate Confederate counterattack led by Gen. Lee forced Gen. Birney's command to abandon its position above Fussell's mill pond and once again kept Federal troops contained at Deep Bottom.
Battle of New Market Heights (September 29, 1864): Early morning assaults by USCTs pierced the Confederate entrenchments above Deep Bottom. Union pursuit of the retreating Confederates continued several miles along the New Market Road before being stopped at Richmond's outer defense line.

July 27-29, 1864:
During the night of July 26-27, the Union II Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock crossed to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. This demonstration diverted Confederate forces from the impending attack at Petersburg on July 30. Union efforts to turn the Confederate position at New Market Heights and Fussell’s Mill were abandoned when the Confederates strongly reinforced their lines and counterattacked. During the night of July 29, the Federals recrossed the river leaving a garrison as heretofore to hold the bridgehead at Deep Bottom.
The above was from http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va069.htm

August 13-20, 1864:
During the night of August 13-14, the Union II Corps, X Corps, and Gregg’s cavalry division, all under command of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, crossed James River at Deep Bottom to threaten Richmond, coordinating with a movement against the Weldon Railroad at Petersburg. On August 14, the X Corps closed on New Market Heights while the II Corps extended the Federal line to the right along Bailey’s Creek. During the night, the X Corps was moved to the far right flank of the Union line near Fussell’s Mill. On August 16, Union assaults near Fussell’s Mill were initially successful, but Confederate counterattacks drove the Federals out of a line of captured works. Heavy fighting continued throughout the remainder of the day. Confederate general John Chambliss was killed during cavalry fighting on Charles City Road. After continual skirmishing, the Federals returned to the southside of the James on the 20th, maintaining their bridgehead at Deep Bottom.
The above was from http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va071.htm
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