Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Confederate Bulwark
Fort Johnson - 1864
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
1. Confederate Bulwark Marker
Fort Johnson was perfectly situated to protect Richmond. From this commanding ridge the Confederate garrison looked out across the treeless landscape that offered an open field of fire for their guns. A deep ditch protected by sharpened stakes added to the defense.The test came on September 29, 1864. That morning Federal troops captured nearby Fort Harrison, then turned their attention to Fort Johnson. From here Confederate gunners opened fire at the massing blue lines. Just before the Union soldiers reached the fort, about 200 Georgia infantrymen arrived to reinforce Fort Johnson’s artillerists.
In the desperate fighting the outnumbered Confederate defenders prevented any Union soldiers from getting over the wall and captured nearly 150 Pennsylvanians who were trapped in the fort’s ditch. Fort Johnson remained in Confederate hands until its evacuation on April 2, 1865.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park - National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1757.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Fort Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Fort Harrison (approx. half a mile away); Richmond Defences (approx. 0.6 miles away); Freedom Fighters (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Park Headquarters (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named First Park Headquarters (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Harrison Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. 0.6 miles away).
More about this marker. The right of the marker contains a war-time photograph of the earthworks, with the caption “Note the person standing in the ditch in this 1865 photograph of Fort Johnson.”
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Fort Johnson".
Also see . . . Battlefield Tour - Ft Gilmer to Ft Brady. Richmond National Battlefield Park website. (Submitted on January 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
2. Marker at Fort Johnson
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
3. Confederate Earthworks at Fort Johnson
These Confederate fortifications are located across the road from the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007
4. Richmond National Battlefield Park
Marker is in the Fort Johnson Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 939 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
