Richmond Virginia was the Confederate states capital of America for almost all of the Civil War. It also served as a vital source of weapons, munitions, supplies, etc. Richmond was also the target of many attempted seizes by the Union. It later became a center for military prisons, hospitals, etc. Richmond later fell under Union forces and large portions were burned and destroyed. In the movie Jonas came to John and Kathy's house and delivered the news that the Union took over RIchmond.