L
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ding, ding, ding, correct!
With an estimated 90% of Civil War soldiers not knowing how to swim, Belle Island was essentially a mini-Alcatraz. It sat in the middle of the James River with swift water on both sides. It was horribly overcrowded, with an estimated 10,000-13,000 prisoners housed there on just 54 acres. The advantage of being imprisoned on Belle Island vs. other prisons was the fresh water supply was less of an issue than it was at other camps.
Thread Replies (10)
Estimated 1,000 union soldiers died there during their incarceration...
-- Culpeper Hokie
Jul 15, 2026 at 10:56 AM ET
Culpeper Hokie
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07/15/26 10:56 AM ET
1 second difference. Photo finish. **
-- Stork
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:33 AM ET
Stork
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07/15/26 09:33 AM ET
Winner by a schnoz. We both slipped past the Gateway sentinel.
-- TomTurkey
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:33 AM ET
TomTurkey
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07/15/26 09:33 AM ET
I have to give my VCU son props. We’d walk over there and explore.**
-- Stork
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:41 AM ET
Stork
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07/15/26 09:41 AM ET
I got to experience the swift water first hand.
-- lilhokie525
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:55 AM ET
lilhokie525
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07/15/26 09:55 AM ET
I worked at VDOT CO for 20 years**
-- TomTurkey
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:43 AM ET
TomTurkey
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07/15/26 09:43 AM ET
ding, ding, ding, correct!
◄
-- lilhokie525
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:39 AM ET
lilhokie525
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07/15/26 09:39 AM ET
But, but, there's a bridge! 😳**
-- TomTurkey
Jul 15, 2026 at 09:41 AM ET
TomTurkey
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07/15/26 09:41 AM ET