Colonial Heights, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Clifton

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009

1. Fort Clifton Marker

Inscription. A short distance east on the Appomattox River stands Confederate Fort Clifton, an important fortification that guarded Petersburg against Union naval attack during the Civil War. On 9 May 1864, Federal gunboats commanded by Maj. Gen. Charles K. Graham attacked the fort. During the engagement, Fort Clifton's artillery disabled the army gunboat Samuel L. Brewster, which its crew then scuttled. The fort's garrison, commanded by Capt. S. Taylor Martin, of the Virginia artillery, received a special commendation from Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett, the commander of the Petersburg defenses. Fort Clifton was evacuated on 2 April 1865, one week before Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-33.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1865.

Location. 37° 16.85′ N, 77° 22.315′ W. Marker is in Colonial Heights, Virginia. It is at the

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intersection of Conduit Road and Brockwell Lane, on the right when traveling north on Conduit Road. The marker is in front of Tussing Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colonial Heights VA 23834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Confederate Fortification (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Clifton (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Clifton (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Brick House At Conjurer's Neck (approx. 0.4 miles away); Early Grave Markers (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Brick (Kennon) House (approx. half

Conduit Road & Brockwell Lane image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009

2. Conduit Road & Brockwell Lane

a mile away); Conjurer's Field Prehistoric Native American Village (approx. half a mile away); Ellerslie (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Heights.

Nearby Berberich Park, Site of Fort Clifton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009

3. Nearby Berberich Park, Site of Fort Clifton

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,649 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.