City Point, Virginia, Busiest Seaport in the World 1864 – 1865

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Richard H. McBee Jr.

Here are pictures I took of displays at City Point while researching the Civil War experiences of Richard Clow at Petersburg in 1865. Note the variety and sizes of ships in the harbor. Sailing vessels and steamboats, large and small plied the harbor delivering the massive amounts of food, ammunition and supplies required to keep General Grant’s Union Army in good shape while it held the town and General Lee’s army under siege.

Looking off the slope of the hill from Grant’s Cabin the two pictures below are the types of ships he would have seen on a dialy basis bringing in supplies.

Below, we see the harbor as it appears today from the vantage point of a window in Appomattox House. Grant’s very small cabin is nearby, dwarfed by the old manor house.

Inside Grant’s cabin one can see Grant’s fireplace, writing desk and chair with uniform and sword hanging.

The amount of history to see at this site takes your breath away. Give City point at least a whole day so you can walk around and see the old tavern houses, church and other buildings.