Albemarle Barracks
| Company type | Prisoner-of-war camp |
|---|---|
| Industry | Military history |
| Founded | 1779 |
| Founder | Colonel John Harvie/Harvey, Sr. |
| Headquarters | Charlottesville , United States |
Area served | Virginia, United States |
Albemarle Barracks served as a prisoner-of-war camp detaining British captives throughout the American Revolutionary War.
History
Following General John Burgoyne's defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, thousands of British and German soldiers—comprising Hessian and Brunswickian troops collectively known as the Convention Army—were escorted to Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Continental Congress decided to transfer them further south, leading Colonel John Harvie/Harvey, Sr. and his family to provide land close to Charlottesville, Virginia. In January 1779, roughly 2,000 British soldiers, 1,900 German troops, along with 300 women and children, arrived near Ivy Creek. Due to poorly built barracks, many officers were granted parole allowing them to reside in locations such as Richmond, Virginia and Staunton, Virginia. Although supplies were limited, prisoners established various amenities including a church, coffeehouse, theater, taverns, and log cabins on site. The camp experienced numerous escapes owing to inadequate security.
By late 1780, with British forces advancing northward from the Carolinas, the remaining detainees were transferred to places like Frederick, Maryland, Winchester, Virginia, and potentially other sites.
Current status
Presently, the land that once hosted Albemarle Barracks is privately owned northwest of Charlottesville along Barracks Farm Rd., where a Virginia State historical marker commemorates its significance. In 1983, the Albemarle County Historical Society installed a plaque at a burial ground discovered during housing development on what is now Ivy Farm Drive. This memorial can be seen from Barracks Road near its junction with Barracks Farm Road.
Note: Although previously hidden by foliage, the marker has been clearly visible from the roadway since at least 2010.