[2] The James River boats, on a summer arrangement in 1837, connected round trip from Petersburg or Richmond to Norfolk.

[9] The steamship Augusta was retrofitted in 1853 with lifeboats, lifebuoys and force pumps as required by the United States Congress for safety.

They could return from Norfolk three days a week leaving at 6:00 A.M and ride the train back from Port Walthall to Richmond or Petersburg.

[11] The Battle of Port Walthall Junction was fought on May 6–7, 1864, between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War.

The Confederates were eventually defeated, allowing Union forces to cut the railroad, one of Richmond's vital supply lines.

An 1893 Richmond and Petersburg Railroad company prospectus does not show the spur to Port Walthall in the miles of track section.

[15] However, as late as 1872, vessels larger than 200 tonnes could dock at Port Walthall, six miles down the Appomattox River from Petersburg on the north bank.