Cruising the Potomac on Historic Boat Ride

Guests aboard the Miss Rivershore listened intently as two local historians narrated stories and outcomes of the Civil War’s Potomac Blockade. 

Four boat tours sponsored by the Prince William County Historic Division launched from the Leesylvania State Park’s dock in Woodbridge and traveled the beautiful six-mile shoreline just south of the Occoquan River.  The serene landscape appeared much different last weekend than it did 150 years ago.

During the spring of 1861, Confederate forces fortified five locations along the Potomac shoreline, including Freestone Point, Cockpit Point (Possum Nose), Shipping Point and Evansport.  Generals quickly discerned the importance of isolating the U.S. capital’s waterways from Southern states, as train and boat were the only means of travel to and from the city.  By securing areas along the Potomac River, President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy hoped to increase Southern sympathy among Marylanders, which would ultimately lead to Maryland’s secession from the Union.  Southern control of the river also resulted in political embarrassment for leaders in Washington. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s mission was to keep “the river open to Union shipping and restrict communications between the Virginians and the Confederate sympathizers in southern Maryland.”  On September 23, 1861 this mission was challenged when those aboard the U.S. Flotilla observed Confederate batteries to include guns, mortar and missiles on Freestone Point.

The batteries at Freestone Point fired on Union vessels, but the attack only resulted in a standoff.  These batteries did serve to distract Union forces from noticing additional batteries downstream at Evansport (now Quantico Marine Base) and Cockpit Point.  The diversion proved advantageous for the Confederates.

Despite the attack, Union commanders remained apprehensive about initiating a battle against Confederate naval forces, largely due to insufficient and inaccurate information provided by spies and civilians.  Union General Joseph Hooker reported, “I have not been able to find anyone able or willing to furnish me with any satisfactory information as to the number of the rebel forces opposed to me.  Of one fact, however, I am almost confident, and it is this: that they expect an assault more than they do of delivering one…”

Nevertheless, President Abraham commented, “Suppose Virginia erects, or permits to be erected, batteries on the opposite shore, to bombard the city [Washington], are we to stand still and see it done?  In a word, if Virginia strikes us, are we not to strike back, and as effectively as we can?”

By October 25, 1861, the Potomac River was officially closed to merchant travel by way of water.

In retaliation against Confederate forces, Union officers used a new observation balloon to gather information and sketched maps of Confederate fortifications.  The detailed information enabled officers to develop effective strategies that resulted in successful attacks on Confederate vessels along the Potomac.  On March 9, 1862, the Confederates abandoned their position on the river, allowing federal forces to re-gain access to the waterways.

Event coordinator Brendon Hanafin was pleased with the success of last weekend’s sold out boat tours that accommodated a total of 150 attendees from across the country.  “The Potomac Blockade was an important part of the county’s Civil War history, but less known than other events in the area.  So the Blockade tour was meant to interpret that part of the war,” he stated. 

The next Potomac boat tours are scheduled for September 24 and 25 in commemoration of the Potomac Blockade’s 150^th anniversary.