37°6′22.3″N76°33′40″W / 37.106194°N 76.56111°W /37.106194; -76.56111TheWarwick River is a 14.4-mile-long (23.2 km)[1]tidal estuary which empties into theJames River a few miles fromHampton Roads at the southern end ofChesapeake Bay in southeastVirginia in theUnited States. Originating inYork County near the northern side a few miles west ofYorktown, it flows south across theVirginia Peninsula and is almost entirely located in theindependent city ofNewport News.
The Warwick River took its name fromRobert Rich, secondEarl of Warwick and a prominent member of theVirginia Company of London who was proprietor ofRichneck Plantation inWarwick River Shire, one of the eight originalshires of Virginia created in 1634. The shire becameWarwick County in 1643, and became part of the independent city of Newport News in 1958 through a municipal consolidation.
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In 1862, during thePeninsula Campaign of theAmerican Civil War, theWarwick Line, a defensive works across the peninsula, was maintained along the river byConfederate GeneralJohn B. Magruder against much largerUnion forces under GeneralGeorge B. McClellan. Through the use of elaborate ruse tactics, "Prince John" Magruder, who was also an actor, provided valuable time for the ultimately successful defense ofRichmond led by GeneralRobert E. Lee which culminated in theSeven Days Battles.
The Warwick River adjoinsFort Eustis, aU.S. Army base, on its western shore, which also occupies historicMulberry Island. During the 20th century, upper reaches of the river were dammed to create fresh water reservoirs forNewport News Waterworks which serves several local communities.
