Battery Dantzler (Click Here For Map...)

1820 Battery Dantzler Road
Open sunrise to sunset daily, free

Just north of Route 10 - This Confederate fort, built in May 1864, represents the northern end of the famous Howlett Line. It's named for Col. Olin Dantzler, who was killed trying to take Fort Dutton. It played a major role in keeping the Union Navy from approaching Richmond. It once over-looked a curl of the James River (now cut off by Dutch Gap).

Gardner Stereo #1001
William Frank Browne - photographer
Negative at the Library of Congress (LC-B815-0018) (Click on Image for Larger View)

Ten Inch Columbiad and Magazine Entrance, Sand Bag Revertment, Battery Dantzler, (Howlett's) on James River.

Gardner Stereo #1005
William Frank Browne - photographer
Negative at the Library of Congress (LC-B811-15)
(Click on Image for Larger View)

Seven Inch Brooke Gun, (Rifle.) Sand Bag Revetment - Hurdle Revetment - a double embrasure, designed to sweep both up and down River, which bends sharply at this Point - Dutch Gap in the distance.

Gardner Stereo #1008
William Frank Browne - photographer
Negative at the Library of Congress (LC-B815-0020) (Click on Image for Larger View)

Three-fourths View of the Same Gun, as shown in No. 1005.

Jan 24 1865 (Tuesday)

Shortly after 3:00 a.m., General Gibbon sounds the alarm that "the enemy's gun-boats have passed our obstructions" and the Federal gun batteries north of the James River. At 8:00 a.m., Gibbon reports "all now depends on our gun-boats, and means should be ready to place other obstructions." However, when several of the raiding vessels run aground, the rest of the Confederate river squadron is forced to end their attempt to attack the Union supply depot at City Point. Colonel Wood reports, "The Richmond and Drewry grounded under the enemy's batteries; the latter has been destroyed. The others will come off, I think, at high water at 10." General Grant reports, "Four of the enemy's gun-boats came down the river..., one or two of them passing below the obstructions. For some reason they returned without passing far below." Grant is especially upset with the actions of Captain Parker, the commander of the James River Flotilla, and arranges for his removal. "With three days' notice of this danger, and a large fleet at his command..., he had but one gunboat, that a wooden one, and a torpedo-boat above the pontoon bridge at Aiken's Landing."

CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, January 24, 1865
Capt. S.S. LEE, Office of Orders and Detail: The torpedo [boat] gotten afloat early this morning and is now with the fleet near Howlett's. It was the Drewry and not the Nansemond that was blown up. I understand that she was set on fire by the enemy's shells, and that her crew escaped before she blew up. Casualties in the fleet thus far--1 man killed and 8 wounded. All of the vessels are now afloat and under Battery Dantzler; and the flag officer expects to go through the obstructions at high tide to-night. The Fredericksburg was returned and is now with rest of the squadron. I think the enemy is now trying to lay other obstructions little farther down the river....
W. L. BRADFORD
Lieutenant, Commanding Battery Semmes

Gardner Stereo #1013
William Frank Browne - photographer
Negative at the Library of Congress (LC-B811-23)

View, from near Howlett's, of Dutch Gap, Peninsula, showing James River on each side of the Neck of Land. This View joins on left of No. 1012*.

*No. 1012 Stereoview has not been located as of this time.

Gardner Stereo #1009
William Frank Browne - photographer
Negative at the Library of Congress (LC-B815-0017)

View up, in rear of Battery Dantzler, (Howlett's) showing Entrance to location of Gun, as shown in No. 1001.

Todays view of gun range down river of No. 1005 view.