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Grant's Headquarters
City Point,
Virginia
The
Center of the War
Providing
food, clothing, and medical supplies to 100,000
Union soldiers and 65,000 horses and livestock
was no small task for Ulysses S. Grant and his
army during the Civil War. In 1865, Grant could
not rely on today's technologies — airplanes,
telephones, fax machines, and the Internet —
to help provide his army with the supplies they
needed to not only stay alive, but to put an
end to the deadliest war in our nation's history.
In Civil War times, one of the most efficient
means of transportation was by way of the river.
And that is why, in his effort to bring an end
to the Civil War, General Grant strategically
set up his headquarters next to the James River
in City Point, Virginia. (The town of City Point
is now known as Hopewell.)
As
one can imagine, City Point was at the center
of the Union Army's operations. The area was
a hub of activity with tons of supplies arriving
daily, via the James River. In fact, City Point
became one of the busiest ports in the world
for a brief, 10-month period during the war.
Logistical operations were enormous. An elaborate
railroad, ship supply, and communications operation
was set up at City Point to distribute supplies
to men in the field. A bakery was erected and
produced over 100,000 rations of bread each
day. In addition, seven hospitals were located
at City Point. One of those hospitals, the Depot
Field Hospital, would actually treat 6,000 patients
on an average day and as many as 10,000 on a
busy day.
Why
Is This Site Important?
City Point served as the headquarters of the
Union armies under the command of Lieutenant
General Grant during a crucial time in the Civil
War. It was from this site that Grant planned
and organized the Siege of Petersburg, which
ultimately helped bring about the end of the
Civil War in Virginia. It was at City Point
that President Lincoln, Grant, and key military
leaders met to discuss how to reunify the country
once the war was over. As a result, this site
holds special significance in American history.
Learn
more about Grant's Headuarters at City Point,
VA by visiting these sections:
Setting
Up Camp
President Lincoln Comes to
City Point
The Meeting That Changed
the Course of History
A Vision For Peace
Lincoln Waits For the War's
End
A Deadly Premonition
The Siege of Petersburg
Lincoln's Plans For Reunification
Lincoln's Dream Comes to
Life
Preserving Grant's Cabin
Visiting Grant's Headquarters
at City Point, Petersburg National Battlefield,
Hopewell, VA
Sources
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