City Point is now part of the town/city of Hopewell, Virginia. During the Civil War years, steamboats landed there and a railroad ran from City Point to Petersburg, Virginia.

City Point was never a POW camp for either side. It was the delivery point for paroled prisoners of war under the Dix-Hill Cartel, a general exchange agreement signed 22 JUL 1862. Paroled Federal prisoners were brought from Richmond and Petersburg down to City Point and handed over to Federal authorities. Returning Confederate POWs were off loaded from the arriving steamboats. Any stay by POWs at City Point was no more than over night and incidental to the transfer of the prisoners.

City Point was in Confederate hands until May 1864 when the Federals occupied the town. General Grant crossed his army to the south side of the James later that month and established his headquarters there. It was then expanded into the primary supply base supporting the siege of Richmond and Petersburg. The Federals operated a major rear area hospital complex there as well. Confederate prisoners of war were treated in these hospitals.

Is there something more specific that you had in mind concerning City Point?

Hugh Simmons
Fort Delaware Society
Webmaster: www.fortdelaware.org
E-mail: society@fortdelaware.org