Join Henricus Historical Park on Saturday, January 24 for the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of Trent’s Reach at Dutch Gap which was the last fight of the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. The event will recognize Medal of Honor recipient 2nd Lt. Walter Thorn, 116th United States Colored Troops, for his heroic efforts in the Battle of Trent’s Reach in January of 1865. Thorn ran atop the bulkhead of the canal at Dutch Gap just before it exploded to rescue a sentry who was not pulled off duty. This event will focus on the lives of military and civilian people during the Civil War with a series of lectures, tours and living-history demonstrations.
Period-dressed historical interpreters will demonstrate the lives of sailors, soldiers and civilians during the Civil War from 12-1 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. Confederate heavy artillery will also re-create use of a Cohorn Mortar during these timeframes. Tours of Navy battle locations at Henricus and Dutch Gap will take place from 4-5 p.m. One hour lectures will take place in the Education Center at the following times:
11:00 a.m. – John D. Pagano, Historical Interpretation Supervisor at Henricus Historical Park: “Kentucky Slaves and Connecticut Yankees: Defenders of Dutch Gap”
1:00 p.m. – John M. Coski, Historian and Library Director at the Museum of the Confederacy: “The James River Squadron of the Confederate Navy, 1864-1865”
1:30 p.m. – Taft Kiser, Archeologist with Cultural Resources, Inc.: “The Battle of Trent’s Reach: January 24-25, 1865
2:30 p.m. – Dr. Mike Nusbaum, Archeologist: “The Underwater Archeology of the CSS Richmond at Chaffin’s Bluff”
Admission for this event which takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is FREE for Henricus Foundation Patrons, $8 for adults and $6 for children aged 3-12.
RVA on the Cheap is a member of