Drewry's Bluff
Fort Darling, Fort Drewry
Civil War Virginia

American Civil War
May 15, 1862

Peninsular Campaign Map

With the fall of Yorktown, the Confederate ironclad Virginia at Norfolk was scuttled to prevent her capture.This opened the James River to Federal gunboats.

On May 15, five gunboats, including the ironclads Monitor and Galena, steamed up the James to test the Richmond defenses. They encountered submerged obstacles and deadly accurate fire from the batteries at Drewry's Bluff, which inflicted severe damage on the Galena.

The Federal Navy was turned back.

Result(s): Confederate victory

Location: Chesterfield County

Campaign: Peninsular Campaign (March-September 1862) next battle in campaign previous battle in campaign

Date(s): May 15, 1862

Principal Commanders: Cdr. John Rodgers [US]; Cdr. E. Farrand, Brigadier General William Mahone, Capt. S. S. Lee, and
Lt. John Taylor Wood [CS]

Forces Engaged: 5 gunboats [US]; battery garrison [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 41 total

Scene off City Point, Drewry's Bluff James River Virginia


Sketch, possibly by Edward H. Schmidt (a crewman on USS Mahaska).

Items identified by numbers include:
1. USS Mahaska ; 2. Schooner N.C. Claver ; 3. tug Dragon ; 4. USS Monitor ; 5. USS Wachusett ; 6. chartered steamer; 7. a schooner; 8. a gunboat; 9. USS Galena , disabled; 10.

More Pictures of the Naval Battle at Fort Darling on the James River


Photo of the USS Galena after the battle, one plugged hole from enemy shot (near the waterline in bottom left center)

Pictures and plans for the Naval Ship Galena


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Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress
U.S. Naval Archives




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