Richmond’s War of 1812 Defensive Camps

During the War of 1812, Virginia established militia encampments in eastern Henrico County to guard against possible British invasion. About a mile northeast of here was Camp Holly Springs (April 1813-Feb. 1815), commanded briefly by Lt. Col. (later Brig. Gen.) John H. Cocke and afterward by Brig. Gen. Robert Porterfield. Camp Carter (Sept.1814 to Feb. 1815), under Cocke's command, stood seven miles northeast of here on Williamsburg Road. Two miles east of Camp Carter was Camp Bottoms Bridge (Sept.-Nov. 1814), commanded by Brig. Gen. William B. Chamberlayne. These encampments were never threatened by British forces during the war.