The historical significance of these works is certainly lessened by the fact that no fighting took place there. However, they do become more valuable since it is possibly the only section of this line that has not been lost to development. This artillery emplacement anchored the eastern end of the Lynchburg defenses on the north side of the James River. Had the yankees taken this line, they would not have had to actually enter Lynchburg to destroy it. They could have easily made the place untenable with artillery placed on the bluffs in the Town of Madison just across the river. The north side defenses ran from our works along what later was known as Colony Rd., across present day Rt. 163 (until recently Rt. 29 Business), and then back to the James at a point across from what is now the Rivermont section of Lynchburg. On an 1863 confederate map, the only works on the north side of the James is a fort located near the present day intersection of Main St. and Rt. 210 in Madison Heights. Apparently, the northside works were not completed until later in the war when there was a preceived threat from the north. Although there was a Battle of Lynchburg, it was made from the west and these works played no role - if they even existed at the time.

The view is very nice and, on that point alone, it's hard to believe that the place remained virtually forgotten for so long. Anyway, my family is most fortunate to own it and I hope we can link it by trail to the bike/hiking trail that runs along the north bank of the river on the former N&W RR right of way. It's just too nice a place to withhold from public access. Anybody know a boy scout looking for a super Eagle project ? I've already talked it around enough to know that the county would look favorably on the project.

Mike Lee
Lynchburg, Va.