The Rappahannock River in eastern Virginia is the country's longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, running for approximately 184 miles, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west to the Chesapeake by south of the Potomac. Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Caroline, Essex, King George, Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond and Westmoreland Counties, Virginia) November, 200 1 Revised April, 2007 Prepared by: Sandy SpencerU.S The Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds are considered impaired and polluted due to excess levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments. 1865 Subjects: American Civil War, 1861-1865 Brady National Photographic Art Gallery (Washington, … After passing Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Rappahannock becomes a tidal and brackish estuary that encompasses the river’s last 50 miles. Rappahannock River Charters, Irvington: See 5 reviews, articles, and 4 photos of Rappahannock River Charters, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 11 attractions in Irvington. It crosses the entire It is about 195 miles (314 km) in length. Beyond the put-in at Kelly’s Ford landing, canoeists can find 25 miles of stream awaiting them that have changed little over time. It passes two small, but historic, river towns, Port Royal and Port Conway, which sit opposite each other. Thomas to take passengers on the narrated day cruise. Behind this line troops had little fear of attack from the river-side. Contributed by Encyclopedia Virginia staff. Although a great deal of the watershed along the Rappah… A number of American Civil War battles took place along the Rappahannock, and it is otherwise historically important for its evidence of early Native American (Algonquian) and colonial settlements, mill sites, and navigation canals and locks. This location marks the beginning of the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, a 1.5 mile paved walkway that runs along the river. But it has experienced increased development in recent decades because it is so close to the Washington, D.C. suburbs. The name of the river comes from an Algonquian word, lappihanne (also recorded as toppehannock), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows," the name used by the local native population, the Rappahannock tribe. Later, it was at the center of Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The Rappahannock is a river rich in Virginia history, a river that is favored by canoeists and a river that is renowned primarily for its smallmouth bass fishing. The last settlements of any size before reaching the Chesapeake Bay are Irvington, Urbanna, Stingray Point, and White Stone Beach. The Battle of Rappahannock River was fought on the river during the War of 1812. He is from the area so he knows all kinds of information about the various locations and families. Impacts to environmental resources within the river have been minimized by reducing the number of piers required for the river crossing from the original design by half. The Rappahannock River is a watery area near Fredericksburg, VA that marked the end of the Underground Railroad for many slaves. It is certain that it was the site of early settlements in the Virginia Colony and was later a volatile battle theater during the Civil War. "Trask argues that the bloody engagements on the river lines were the most important battles of the Civil War in the East, far surpassing even the dramatic contests at Antietam and Gettysburg in significance. The site, settled in 1671, was laid out in 1727 and named for The Rappahannock River rises in Virginia’s Piedmont near the town of Culpeper and flows generally southeast until emptying into Chesapeake Bay. Centuries of History & … The trail was developed in order to connect the two sections of the Rappahannock Canal Path, completing a 3.1 mile loop that connects the … Most of the rapids are Class I and Class II in difficulty, but, near Remington, there are some rapids that are considered to be Class III. In 1607, the Rappahannock were the dominant tribe of the Rappahannock River valley, maintaining thirteen villages along the north and south banks of the river named after them. A buffet lunch is served at the winery … Turtle-Shaped Container. Rappahannock River. Rappahannock County, Virginia formed from Culpeper County. Homes in Rappahannock River Estates are 1,500 square feet on average and typically have three bedrooms and one bathrooms. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The broad river enters the Chesapeake Bay approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the mouth of the Potomac River and approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of the state capital, Richmond. Their capital town was Topahanocke (or Tappahannock). The Rappahannock tribe is a state- and federally recognized Indian tribe whose tribal area is located in Indian Neck in King and Queen County.In the late twentieth century, the tribe owned 140.5 acres of land and the Rappahannock Cultural Center and had about 500 members on its tribal roll. The dam at one time provided water to a Virginia Electric Power Company po… Rappahannock Tribe. Some historians believe the Rappahannock may have served as a possible boundary between the North and the South during the Civil War. Southeast of Fredericksburg, it begins to slow and widen into a brackish tidal estuary approximately 50 miles (80 km) long. Seventeen British boats filled with hundreds of marines and sailors captured four American privateers. After passing Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Rappahannock becomes a tidal and brackish estuary that encompasses the river’s last 50 miles. Much of the watershed is rural and forested. Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. In my research it looks like I can tube the Rappahannock River without hiring a company, but I'm not seeing much conclusive information about how to go about it safely. The Rappahannock’s territory on the south side of the Rappahannock River was their primary hunting grounds. It is about 195 miles (314 km) in length. The Rappahannock River is a watery area near Fredericksburg, VA that marked the end of the Underground Railroad for many slaves. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Fact #2: The Confederate bridgehead at Rappahannock Station was key to Lee's defensive strategy along the Rappahannock River. This location marks the beginning of the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, a 1.5 mile paved walkway that runs along the river. The rivers watershed is protected in various places by parcels of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Rappahannock and its tributaries support a thriving agricultural industry, irrigating crops and providing clean water for livestock. Check out our growing collection of aerial footage and wildlife photos from those very banks. The longest free-flowing river in the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock was the river crossed in fall of 1862 when the legal end of slavery was near. At the point where the river enters the bay, between Windmill Point, on the north, and Stingray Point, on the south, it is more than 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide. The longest free-flowing river in the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock was the river crossed in fall of 1862 when the legal end of slavery was near. Corrections? Original Caption: Landing on Rappahannock River, 1864-65 U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: NWDNS-111-B-94 From:: Series: Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes, (Record Group 111) Photographer: Brady, Mathew, 1823 (ca.) Rappahannock River Charters: Excellent river tour with Captain William Saunders - See 5 traveler reviews, 4 candid photos, and great deals for Irvington, VA, at Tripadvisor. Significant battles fought along the river include the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Rappahannock Station. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Project Fun Facts The river’s name is derived from an Algonquian word, toppehannock, which means “river of … The Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle at Rappahannock Station both took place along the river, in 1862. Rappahannock River is estimated to cover a distance of 314 kilometers and is found towards the eastern part of Virginia. The Rappahannocks sold their first piece of land to the English in 1651. It rises near Chester Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains east of Front Royal and flows southeastward past Fredericksburg (head of navigation and of tidewater) to enter Chesapeake Bay after a course of 212 miles (341 km). It crosses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River. During the American Civil War, the river, with few convenient fords and fewer bridges, provided a barrier and defensive line. Synonyms: rappahannock river Back to Top Fun Facts about the name Rappahannock How unique is the name Rappahannock? The Rappahannock was the site of early settlements in the Virginia Colony. The Rappahannock River is the longest free-flowing river in Virginia, and its watershed includes all or parts of 18 counties from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Chesapeake Bay. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This page was last modified on 23 December 2020, at 02:10. It was an important river in American history. Rappahannock River The Rappahannock River runs 195 miles through the Virginia Piedmont to join the Chesapeake Bay in Gloucester County. The Rappahannocks sold their first piece of land to the English in 1651. Pressured by Washington to make another attack on General Robert E. Lee’s army in northern Virginia, and perhaps enjoying the success of his partial victory over Lee at Bristoe Station three weeks earlier, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade ordered an assault against Lee’s infantry along the Rappahannock River on November 7th, 1863. Some historians believe the Rappahannock served as a possible boundary between the North and the South during the Civil War. The longest free-flowing river in the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock was the river Although there had been a few small hamlets along the lower Rappahannock during early colonial times, the settlement of the Rappahannock River valley began in earnest during the first years of the 18th century, at the urging of Governor Alexander Spotswood. The Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle at Rappahannock Station both took place along the river in 1862. English settlement in the Rappahannock River valley began illegally in the 1640s. 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