City Point

Photographic Documentation of the Government Supply Complex at City Point

The photographs below are just of perhaps hundreds of images taken of City Point during the Civil War. City Point was one of the most photographed areas in the Civil War. Many of these photographs were taken by Capt. Andrew J. Russell to document the work of the Quartermaster Corps and the U.S. Military Railroad. Some were taken by Timothy O'Sullivan. We are beginning to sort them out. Stay tuned

LC 01977. "City Point, Virginia,"unattributed stereograph.

The Medford Historical Society Civil War Photograph Collection

LC 08249. "View at City Point headquarters," print by Russell

NARA on Flickr.

The above four images from various sources form a panorama of "City Point headquarters." The third image from the right is attributed to Capt. Andrew J. Russell. The snow cover, wagons, mules, and other details suggest that all four images were taken during the same session and may be safely attributed to Russell.

Here the four photographs are stitched together more-or-less seamlessly by Ted Linton. Zoom in below.

LC 01972 "City Point, Virginia. Gen. [Marsena R.] Patrick's headquarters and mail wharf." A fifth photograph taken at roughly the same time.

Initial effort to place some of the City Point photographs on the map. New images will be added as identified. Modifications will be made as needed.

Overlay of Historic Map on Modern GIS Data by the College of William & Mary Archaeology Department.

This is an overlay of the Civil War City Point Railroad map (detail above) on modern GIS data. The map was compiled by William & Mary Archeology Department as part of a study conducted for the National Park Service. The Eppes House Appomattox Manor is located at the top left of the point. The series of smaller cabins to the right were the Headquarters of the Armies led by General Grant. The long blue buildings on the far right along the waterfront were the Quartermaster warehouses. This is a fine example of how historic maps can be used to guide archeological research today.

Photographs of City Point from the Library of Congress

Composite image, formed from NARA 111-B-769 and LC 02162, stitched together by Ted Linton. Camera angle was shifted somewhat, but images were taken at the same time as indicated by a fallen tree, attached clothes lines, and other ephemeral details.

Photograph taken from near the same location as the above photos, but looking more to the south toward the docks. Miller, Photographic History, Vol. 8: 287. Would the distinguished gentleman posed in the rear be Marsena Patrick, Provost-Marshall of the Armies?