During a special evening program, “Jamestowne in the Civil War,” guests explore the story of Fort Pocahontas, one of five forts constructed on Jamestown Island during the Civil War, and then fast forward to 2012 to learn about recent archaeological excavations at the fort site. The program begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13 at Historic Jamestowne.
At the beginning of the Civil War, Capt. William Allen owned and farmed Jamestown Island. In April 1861, Allen’s slaves and troops raised at his own expense built much of the earthworks that became “Fort Pocahontas.” The Confederate Army stationed more than 1,200 men there in the summer of 1861 in hopes of blocking Federal ships from moving up the James River toward Richmond, the capital and industrial center of the Confederacy. Guests encounter Confederate soldiers who manned the fort in 1861.
Along with numerous Civil War-era artifacts, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a Confederate bomb shelter and powder magazine that were part of the fort. Archaeologists first explored the fort and earthworks in 2004-05 and last summer uncovered sandbag markings and wooden beams that supported the roof of the bomb shelter 12 feet wide and at least 18 feet long. The fort never came under attack, but soil markings and nails pointing downward indicate the shelter collapsed at some point. The fort was abandoned without a fight on May 3, 1862, and the troops retreated to a position nearer to Richmond after burning the powder magazines and gun carriages.
Tickets are $15 per person. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 1-800-HISTORY to make reservations. Click here for more information on “Jamestowne in the Civil War” on the Historic Jamestowne website.
