Battery Dantzler

First named Ft. Howlett, this battery was renamed for Col. Olin M. Dantzler, who was killed on June 2, 1864, while leading the 22nd South Carolina Inf. in a failed attempt to capture Ft. Dutton. Battery Dantzler played a major role in keeping the Union Navy down river. It was abandoned on June 16th 1864 to send troops to Petersburg and was retaken that night. Because of this battery and others along the river, the Dutch Gap Canal was begun on August 10th 1864 and was not opened until after the war. Several attempts by the Confederate Navy to break the Union blockade also failed. On April 2nd 1865, the battery was abandoned, and its men joined in the surrender at Appomattox CH. on April 9, 1865.

Virginia · United States