Our Saturday, April 2, 2016 tour, “Benedict Arnold Raids Richmond,” will be led by
John Maass and Mark Lender. John has already led two great tours for us,
and Mark’s Arnold presentation in August was well received by the many in
attendance. Here’s a brief description:
“After
appearing in the Chesapeake in late December, 1780, British General Benedict
Arnold landed a force of about one thousand men at Westover, on the James
River. Arnold’s men marched to Richmond on 5 January. Here and at Westham, the
British destroyed small arms, canvass, rope, hemp,fuses, shot, tobacco, cannon,
and “a foundry for casting iron cannon,” along with private property. They
faced little opposition from Patriot forces.
“The
raiders left Richmond around noon on January 6, marched southeast and camped at
Four Mile Creek along the New Market Road, north of Deep Bottom. Arnold then
proceeded to Berkeley Plantation on the James River, freed some of the slaves
there and, on January 10, boarded his ships to sail downstream. Although almost
four thousand militiamen gathered to defend the Tidewater area against Arnold’s
excursion, they were divided between Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and Cabin
Point, on the south side of the James. Virginia’s response was slow and
hesitant, for which Gov. Thomas Jefferson received much of the blame."
The April bus tour will include key sites
associated with the British raid, including Westover and Berkeley Plantations,
Charles City Court House, Four Mile Creek, Church Hill, and the site of the
Westham Foundry.
We’ll leave the University of Richmond and spend the entire day in the
field. The cost will be $35. All details will be available
shortly. But mark your calendars now. We will gladly accept
registrations at the January 20 meeting. The tour will be opened to
others after our members have priority access.
