The Power and the Glory: A Sketch of Appomattox River and Lower Reaches of Swift Creek

In this Sketch of the Appomattox River and Lower Reaches of Swift Creek we take a virtual trip up these two streams, reviewing over forty of these Colonial and Antebellum estates, navigation of sailing vessels, steamships and batteaux encompassing over 100 miles, and the plight of the Native Americans who once occupied the lower reaches of these waters. We also look at the Appomattox River’s connection with the Underground Railroad and the free-black community of Pocahontas at Petersburg, Virgina. The milling industries that once thrived along these waters are reviewed and an in-depth look is given to three of the largest of these facilities that began operations in 1836. Centuries of sports, recreation and other uses of these streams are also included here. While many topics included in this volume are available in other sources, the consolidation of such a wide array of information and the introduction of new material will be of interest to anyone who would be inclined to step back in time to the Power and the Glory of the Appomattox River and the lower reaches of Swift Creek. Read more