Chartered in 1834 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad started northward from Richmond that year. View an 1835 map of the RF&P. In 1836, the RF&P began north-south service through Ashland, terminating at the South Anna river. The RF&P reached Fredericksburg by 1837 and extended 14 miles north of Fredericksburg to Aquia Creek by 1842. By 1861, the RF&P had 61 miles of tracks. Eventually, the RF&P mainline encompassed 110 miles. More on the RF&P...

The RF&P was a major determinant of Confederate strategy in Virginia. Action to defend the RF&P to Lee's rear precipitated the wounding of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart May, 11 1864 at Yellow Tavern, an abandoned inn six miles north of Richmond.

On May 11, 1864 Union General Henry Davies, Jr., under Sheridan, broke camp at Ground Squirrel Bridge and led the 1st Brigade of Gregg's division on a raid to Ashland. Federals destroyed a locomotive, train, six buildings and six miles of track. From Hanover Junction, Stuart dispatched Colonel Thomas Munford and the 2d Virginia Cavalry. At Ashland, the Virginians encountered part of the 1st Massachusetts, who, according to Stuart, "were whipped out after a sharp fight." Later that afternoon, Stuart was wounded at Yellow Tavern where Stuart's troops made a final stand against Sheridan. Stuart died the next day in Richmond.