Program

DAR Revolutionary America

Subject

Event, Site

Location

6801 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832, USA

Lat/Long

37.376538, -77.506517

Grant Recipient

NSDAR - Treasurer General

Governor Thomas Jefferson designated this site as a training depot and encampment for Virginia soldiers to join General Nathanael Greene’s troops in the Carolinas. The war had shifted from north to south. The British had hoped to cut off the southern colonies as they were important sources of trade in tobacco and indigo for England. Gen. Greene, commander of the Southern Army, depended on Virginia to be a chief supplier of arms, equipment and reinforcements. However, General Von Steuben, charged with drilling the soldiers, and Col. Davies struggled to house, feed, clothe and arm the troops in winter conditions. Troops faced many hardships with cold weather, lack of food and clothing, equipment and arms. Many men arrived with no winter clothing or adequate footwear. The original courthouse, built in 1749, was being used for a hospital, and housed about 200 men.