Chaffin's Bluff

Located at a major bend in the river about eight miles south of Richmond, both bluffs were fortified by the Confederates early in the American Civil War.

On August 15, 1864, the Federal expedition to Chaffin's Bluff and the capital's defenses was delayed and frustrated by Confederate forces.

General Robert E. Lee had lost Fort Harrison the previous day, and led a strong counterattack, but was beaten off by the Federal forces.

The battle ended major Federal attempts against Richmond from north of the James River, and the Confederates constructed new outer works between the Fort Harrison line and Richmond, while the Federals built and manned siege lines east of the Confederate capital.

Drewry's Bluff is part of the Fort Darling unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park.