Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, during the Petersburg Campaign.
Douthat's House, Weyanoke Plantation, June 15, 1864
The Petersburg Offensive began in earnest with the construction of a grand pontoon bridge across James River over which much of the Army of the Potomac crossed. On Wednesday,June 15, MEADE and his entourage reached the north bank of the river and established Headquarters near Douthart's House, the seat of Weyanoke Plantation. According to Lyman (Meade's Army, 204-205), "The General rode to Douthart's--a brick house large and grand, standing at the point of a well-tilled peninsula which is enclosed by a bend of the river. The General in a sharp humor, though things seemed moving well enough."
LC cw050100 detail from "[Map of the lines of march of the Army of the Potomac from Culpeper to Petersburg, Virginia," Army of the Potomac, Engineer Department, showing area where the Great Pontoon was laid at "Wynoke Ldg." Second and part of Fifth Army Corps converged on Wilcox's Landing and crossed the river on steamers to Windmill Point. Sixth and Ninth Corps and the army trains crossed the pontoons. The bridge was dismantled entirely on June 18.
Detail from the above map, showing the site of the Pontoon Bridge at Wyanoke Landing. Above and to the right, a house is labeled "R. Douthard." This was the home of Robert Douthat, on the north bank of James River, where General Meade made his headquarters during the night of June 15th. From here he observed the completion of the bridge.
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Weyanoke Plantation Main House. Photo from HABS/HAER documentation. At the time of the Civil War the property was owned by Robert Douthat (spelled Douthard or Douthart on some maps).
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The bridge extended from Weyanoke Plantation, Charles City County, on the north bank to Flowerdew Hundred Plantation, Prince George County, on the southside. Extensive archeological examination has been conducted at Flowerdew Plantation over the years.The original house was demolished.
Near the Bailey House, June 16
During the day of June 16th, MEADE crossed the pontoon bridge and rode to the front where there had been heavy fighting by Smith's Corps, who captured a half-mile of the formidable Dimmock Line that defended Petersburg. Hancock's Second Corps had moved into position and was pressing the attack Lyman was sent out to find a spot for headquarters (Meade's Army, 207). "Sent to establish our Headq'rs--a difficult matter for things are as dry as bone dust. Found Bailey's house all smashed inside and used as a hospital, about 50 or 40 wounded there, from the skirmish line. Put our Headq'rs in the field below the house."
Detail of Map 20, Army of the Potomac Engineers, showing Bailey house on the City Point Road to the upper right. NARA RG77 G211-20
LC . "Headquarters near Jerusalem Plank Road, A of P," sketch by Alfred Waud.
LC 21547, A. R. Waud. Headquarters Genl Meade at Jerusalem Plank Road.
