News
December 2025
41 Acres Saved at First Deep Bottom
[First Deep Bottom Battlefield]
The Richmond Battlefields Association has successfully acquired the 41-acre "Bradbury Knoll" tract on the First Deep Bottom Battlefield. By preserving this hallowed ground, the RBA has secured a vital piece of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, ensuring it remains intact for future generations.
November 2025
11 Acres Saved at Beaver Dam Creek
[Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield]
The Richmond Battlefields Association has expanded its footprint by acquiring 11 acres opposite our current 8-acre site. These combined RBA-protected lands adjoin the Beaver Dam Creek Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park, creating a contiguous corridor of preserved history.
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Past Events
May 2025
Annual Meeting & Tour
Fair Oaks/Seven Pines Battlefield - Adams Farm
[2025 Tour Photos]
RBA sponsored a walking tour of the Adams Farm site on the Fair Oaks Battlefield. The tour was guided by historian and preservationist Victor Vignola, author of Contrasts in Command, who highlighted recent preservation successes at this significant, yet often overlooked, Civil War site.
October 2023
Annual Meeting & Tour
Cold Harbor Battlefield
[2023 Tour Photos]
RBA sponsored a walking tour of the Cold Harbor Battlefield. Dan Davis, author and historian from the American Battlefield Trust led the tour on land recently saved by the Trust. This tract saw action during the 1862 Battle of Gaines' Mill and the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor.
November 2019
Annual Meeting & Tour
Gaines' Mill Battlefield - Griffin's Woods
[2019 Tour Photos]
RBA sponsored a walking tour of newly preserved "Griffin's Woods" at the heart of the Gaines Mill Battlefield. Guided by Mike Andrus and Ben Brockenbrough, the tour retraced the opening assaults of A.P. Hill’s Light Division against a strong Union line entrenched above Boatswain Creek. Adding a layer of 20th-century history, Bernie Fisher detailed the legacy of the Richmond & Rappahannock River Railway, which later bisected the battlefield.
At the site where the New York Zouaves made their valiant defense, Marc Ramsey delivered a moving tribute to historian Brian Pohanka. It was Pohanka’s generous bequest that proved instrumental in securing the RBA’s foundational preservation victory at Gaines’ Mill.
November 2018
Annual Meeting & Tour
Second Deep Bottom Battlefield
[2018 Tour Photos]
RBA sponsored a walking tour of our newly preserved battlefield site near Fussell's Mill. The tour focused on the remarkably intact rifle pits and earthworks of the Bailey’s Creek defensive line—the site of a pivotal Union breakthrough and subsequent Confederate counterattack on August 16, 1864. This latest preservation victory brings the RBA closer than ever to consolidating the core battlefield at Second Deep Bottom.
October 2017
Annual Meeting & Tour
Point of Rocks Civil War Site
[2017 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at Point of Rocks Civil War Site in Chesterfield County. Participants spent a clear autumn morning walking in the footsteps of figures who defined the era—including Gen. Benjamin "Beast" Butler, Clara Barton, President and Mrs. Lincoln, and General and Mrs. Grant.
Our expert guides, Scott Williams and George Fickett, explored the multi-layered history of this strategic Union foothold on the north bank of the Appomattox River. A true preservation gem, the site served as a "brown water" naval battleground, a Union headquarters and hospital complex, a burial ground, and later, a post-war Freedman’s Village.
October 2016
Annual Meeting & Tour
Gaines' Mill Battlefield - Deed Transfer Ceremony
[2016 Tour Photos]
RBA once again marked its annual meeting with a special Deed Transfer Ceremony, formally conveying 3 acres of the Gaines’ Mill battlefield to the Richmond National Battlefield Park. This milestone represents the first preservation success at Gaines’ Mill in over 80 years, ensuring this hallowed ground is protected for all time.
Following the ceremony, board member Mike Andrus led guests on a walking tour of the site, which gained fame during the fierce combat of June 27, 1862. It was here that Hood’s Texas Brigade participated in one of the largest coordinated assaults of the war. Gen. Robert E. Lee’s troops charged across Boatswain’s Creek, finally shattering the Union position.
This pivotal engagement—Lee's first major victory—came at a staggering cost of over 15,000 casualties. The defeat convinced Gen. George B. McClellan to abandon his "On to Richmond" campaign; that night, the Federal army began its long, costly retreat toward the safety of the James River.
November 2015
Cold Harbor Battlefield - Beulah Church Land Dedication
[2015 Cold Harbor Photos]
RBA celebrated a significant preservation milestone at Cold Harbor as the Richmond National Battlefield Park formally opened the Beulah Church site to the public. The opening was marked by a ceremony and the unveiling of several new interpretive markers designed to guide visitors through this long-hidden history.
Following the presentation, historian R.E.L. Krick led a walking tour of the grounds, which saw intense fighting on May 31 and June 1, 1864. The integration of this property into the park allows for the interpretation of a previously neglected chapter of the Cold Harbor story, providing a more complete understanding of the shifting lines and opening engagements of that bloody summer.
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October 2015
Annual Meeting & Tour
Second Deep Bottom Battlefield - Return to Fussell's Mill
[2015 Tour Photos]
RBA returned to Fussell’s Mill for its annual meeting, highlighted by an extensive tour of the 1864 Second Deep Bottom Campaign. On a crisp autumn morning, board members Ben Brockenbrough and Mike Andrus led the group across our newly preserved 25-acre Darbytown Road property. This site was the scene of intense combat on August 16, 1864, as Federal forces attempted to break the Confederate defenses.
The tour featured special guest historian Jimmy Price, who provided invaluable insight into the role of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the engagement. His accounts shed light on the bravery and strategic importance of these soldiers in the struggle for the Richmond outskirts, adding a vital layer of depth to our understanding of the Second Deep Bottom battlefield.
November 2014
Annual Meeting & Tour
Cold Harbor Battlefield - Deed Transfer Ceremony
[2014 Tour Photos]
RBA marked a particularly significant annual meeting this year, highlighted by a Deed Transfer Ceremony with the National Park Service. During the event, the RBA formally celebrated the transfer of 18 acres at Beulah Church to the Richmond National Battlefield Park, ensuring this hallowed ground is protected for posterity.
Following the ceremony, Mike Andrus and Ben Brockenbrough led guests on an immersive tour of the site, exploring the pivotal actions of June 1 and 3, 1864. The tour retraced the path of the Union 18th Corps as they charged across these very fields—an assault that resulted in one of the most infamous and costly repulses of the entire Civil War.
This latest addition to the park’s holdings fills a critical gap in the landscape, allowing future generations to stand where history was made and honor the sacrifices of those who fought at Cold Harbor.
September 2014
CWT Campaign to Save 665 Acres at North Anna
Partners in Preservation: RBA & CWT
Earlier this year, the Civil War Trust launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to preserve 665 crucial acres of the North Anna Battlefield—encompassing the entirety of the Jericho Mill portion of the site.
RBA proudly kickstarted the campaign by raising $10,000 toward this massive preservation effort, This contribution underscores the vital role of collaborative partnerships in safeguarding our nation's most endangered historic landscapes for future generations.
August 2013
Gov. McDonnell Announces Battlefield Preservation Grants
RBA Awarded Matching Funds for Beaver Dam Creek
[Photo]
At a ceremony held at Ball’s Bluff Regional Park, Governor McDonnell announced the 2013 Battlefield Preservation awards. RBA was honored as one of only four preservation groups to receive a grant this year.
These matching funds, provided by the Civil War Site Preservation Fund, will be utilized for the acquisition of the Thomas tract at the Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield. This grant represents a vital step forward in the RBA’s ongoing mission to protect and expand the historic footprint of the Seven Days Battles.
June 2013
48th Alabama Regiment Monument
Second Deep Bottom Battlefield - Dry Ravine
[Monument Photos] [Monument Inscription]
A monument honoring the 48th Alabama Regiment was recently installed at the Fussell’s Mill "dry ravine" site, a site preserved by RBA. The monument marks the ground where Col. William C. Oates lost his arm while leading a desperate Confederate counterattack on August 16, 1864. This installation provides a permanent point of interpretation for the actions that occurred in the ravine and ensures that the history of this portion of the Second Deep Bottom battlefield remains accessible to the public.
June 2013
Annual Meeting & Tour
Beaver Dam Creek Battlefield
[2013 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at our newly acquired Beaver Dam Creek battlefield site. Despite torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Andrea, dedicated members followed historian Mike Andrus for a tour of the bluff overlooking the creek. The presentation detailed the intense combat that occurred on this ground on June 26, 1862, providing members with a firsthand look at the strategic terrain of the first major engagement of the Seven Days Battles.
June 2012
Annual Meeting & Tour
Gaines' Mill Battlefield - Longstreet's Attack
[2012 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting once again at our Gaines’ Mill battlefield site. On a clear June morning, attendees followed the path of Longstreet’s attack across the adjacent 285-acre McDougle Farm.
Board members Ben Brockenbrough and Mike Andrus led the group across this pristine landscape, providing a detailed account of the actions of June 27, 1862. The tour highlighted the strategic significance of the farm and offered a comprehensive look at the aftermath of the battle, emphasizing the importance of preserving such an intact portion of the historic terrain.
May 2012
Dedication of Hood's Texas Brigade Monument
Gaines' Mill Battlefield
[Ceremony Photos] [Monument Inscription]
Flags were flying and bagpipes filled the air at the formal dedication ceremony for the new Texas monument at Gaines’ Mill. Under clear skies, representatives from Hood's Texas Brigade Association Re-activated (HTBAR), the Texas Historical Commission, and RBA gathered to unveil the monument.
In his keynote address, Professor Gary Gallagher emphasized the Battle of Gaines' Mill as a definitive turning point in the American Civil War. The event drew a notable crowd, including many descendants of the 4th Texas Infantry, as well as descendants of Generals James Longstreet, J.E.B. Stuart, and John Bell Hood.
Following the dedication, National Park Service historian R.E.L. Krick led a walking tour of the battlefield, providing tactical context to the ground where the Texas Brigade made its famous charge.
April 2012
Spring Bus Tour of Hanover & King William Counties
Funds Raised for Battlefield Preservation
[Tour Photos]
Participants in our inaugural Spring tour helped bolster the RBA’s battlefield preservation fund while exploring a series of historic landmarks along the Pamunkey River. The excursion offered a rare opportunity to visit significant Civil War sites, including Marlbourne, Westwood, Summer Hill, Hanover Town, Wyoming, and Williamsville. We extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who joined us; your participation made this debut tour a resounding success and directly supports our mission to protect Virginia's hallowed ground.
June 2011
Annual Meeting & Tour
Gaines' Mill Battlefield - Boatswain's Creek
[2011 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at our newly preserved Gaines' Mill site. Tour participants retraced the historic advance of Hood’s Texas Brigade, crossing the waters of Boatswain’s Creek led by National Park Service historian R.E.L. Krick. The tour provided a tactical exploration of the intense fighting that occurred on this ground on June 27, 1862, offering a firsthand perspective on the challenging terrain that shaped this pivotal Confederate breakthrough.
June 2010
Annual Meeting & Tour
Cold Harbor Battlefield - In the Trenches
[2010 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at the Cold Harbor battlefield, featuring a walking tour led by David Lowe, a leading authority on Civil War fortifications. Lowe provided a detailed examination of the field entrenchments that define the landscape, explaining the technical and tactical nuances of the earthworks. The tour concluded with an exploration of the RBA’s latest preservation success at Beulah Church, highlighting the strategic significance of this newly protected ground within the broader Cold Harbor story.
June 2009
Annual Meeting & Tour
Second Deep Bottom Battlefield - Fussell's Mill
[2009 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at Fussell’s Mill on the Second Deep Bottom battlefield. The event featured presentations by historians Robert K. Krick, Mike Andrus, and R.E.L. Krick, who provided a detailed analysis of the August 1864 combat that unfolded across the surrounding woods and fields. Following the lectures, attendees participated in a walking tour of the site, exploring the strategic landscape and the specific locations where the heavy fighting occurred.
June 2008
Annual Meeting & Tour
White House Landing on the Pamunkey River
[2008 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. Despite the summer heat, participants took advantage of a rare opportunity to explore this historic New Kent County site.
Historians Robert K. Krick and R.E.L. Krick provided a detailed narrative of the property’s storied past, highlighting the significant historical connections of both George Washington and Robert E. Lee to the White House Plantation. The presentations underscored the site's unique role in American history, spanning from the colonial era through the pivotal campaigns of the Civil War.
June 2007
Annual Meeting & Tour
Drewry's Bluff/Fort Darling
[2007 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at Drewry’s Bluff overlooking the James River. National Park Service historian R.E.L. Krick led a walking tour of the historic site, specifically highlighting the locations and historical narratives that are not currently addressed by standard park signage or interpretation.
By focusing on these lesser-known aspects of the bluff's defenses and the naval engagements that occurred below, the tour provided members with a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the site's tactical importance during the war.
June 2006
Annual Meeting & Tour
Malvern Hill Battlefield - Poindexter Farm
RBA held its annual meeting at the Malvern Hill battlefield, featuring a rare walking tour of the Poindexter Farm. Led by National Park Service historians Frank O’Reilly and R.E.L. Krick, the tour explored this significant ground located just outside the current park boundaries.
The historians detailed the site's critical role during the Seven Days Battles, specifically on July 2, 1862, when General "Stonewall" Jackson deployed his artillery on the farm's heights and General Robert E. Lee established his headquarters on the property. The visit provided members with a unique perspective on the tactical positioning and command decisions that shaped the aftermath of the battle at Malvern Hill.
June 2005
Annual Meeting & Tour
Cold Harbor Battlefield - Allison Farm
[2005 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at the Cold Harbor battlefield, featuring a rare walking tour of the Allison Farm. Author and historian Gordon Rhea joined R.E.L. Krick to lead the group across this private property located outside the current park boundaries.
The tour focused on the catastrophic events of June 3, 1864, when the farm became a focal point for the massive Federal assaults against entrenched Confederate positions. The historians detailed how the high volume of Union casualties sustained on this ground cemented Cold Harbor’s grim reputation as a "killing ground" and fundamentally altered the course of the Overland Campaign.
June 2004
Annual Meeting & Tour
Glendale Battlefield - Whitlock Farm
[2004 Tour Photos]
The Richmond Battlefields Association (RBA) held its annual meeting at the Glendale battlefield, featuring a two-mile walking tour led by author William J. Miller and historian R.E.L. Krick.
The highlight of the excursion was an exclusive visit to the privately owned Whitlock Farm. The historians provided a detailed account of the events of June 30, 1862, when this ground became the epicenter of the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Glendale. The tour offered participants a rare opportunity to stand on the tactical heart of the battlefield and visualize the desperate struggle that nearly severed the Federal line of retreat to the James River.
June 2003
Annual Meeting & Tour
Fort Harrison
[2003 Tour Photos]
RBA held its annual meeting at Fort Harrison, featuring a presentation by renowned author and historian Dr. Richard J. Sommers. Dr. Sommers provided a detailed overview of the September 1864 operations around Chaffin’s Bluff, contextualizing the strategic struggle for Richmond's outer defenses.
Following the lecture, Dr. Sommers joined historian R.E.L. Krick to lead a walking tour of the specific Fort Harrison acreage saved by RBA. The tour allowed members to walk the ground while discussing the tactical maneuvers and the significance of the Union breakthrough that forever altered the Confederate defensive perimeter.
June 2002
Annual Tour
Gaines' Mill Battlefield
RBA hosted its inaugural public tour at the Gaines’ Mill battlefield, featuring a presentation by the renowned historian Edwin C. Bearss. Addressing a large crowd, Bearss spoke on the strategic significance of the June 27, 1862, engagement. Despite the sudden arrival of a severe thunderstorm, participants welcomed the rare opportunity to stand on the historic ground with Bearss on the exact 140th anniversary of the battle. This debut event marked a successful first chapter in the RBA’s mission to connect the public with Richmond’s preserved landscapes.
June 2002
Annual Meeting
Fort Harrison
[Log Cabin]
The Richmond Battlefields Association (RBA) held its inaugural public business meeting at the historic Old Log Cabin at Fort Harrison. The location was deeply symbolic; it was at Fort Harrison in 1927 that Douglas Southall Freeman and a group of visionary preservationists launched the first organized effort to save Richmond's Civil War landscapes by purchasing the fort.
As the original headquarters of the Richmond Battlefields Parks Corporation, the log cabin provided a fitting backdrop for the RBA to renew these preservation efforts for the 21st century. Appropriately, Fort Harrison also served as the site of the RBA’s very first battlefield preservation victory!
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