Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm-Fort Gilmer – 1864 - Henrico VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 37° 26.830 W 077° 22.815
18S E 289445 N 4147140
Confederate Fort Gilmer loomed as a major obstacle to any advance on Richmond. On the afternoon of September 29, 1864, several regiments of black troops stormed these works only to be driven back.
Waymark Code: WM134M4
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 09/14/2020
Views: 1
Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm-Fort Gilmer-1864-Fort Gilmer Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park--Confederate Fort Gilmer loomed as a major obstacle to any advance on Richmond. On the afternoon of September 29, 1864, several regiments of black troops stormed these works only to be driven back. A portion of the 7th United States Colored Troops, which was their official army designation, made the last of three bloody assaults and managed to reach the deep moat outside the fort’s outer wall. Nearly the entire command was killed, wounded, or captured.
The fighting here was just one of several Union attacks that day which became known as the battles of Chaffin’s Farm. Despite success at New Market Heights and Fort Harrison, the arrival of southern reinforcements, personally led by General R. E. Lee, slammed the door shut to any further march against Richmond.
LOCATION: Marker is on Battlefield Park Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the Fort Gilmer Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Post office area: Henrico VA 23231
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