Near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Richmond Defences

Outer-Line Crossing Mill Road

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 17, 2003

1. Richmond Defences Marker

Inscription. To the North was the Confederate Fort Gilmer, attacked but not captured, Sept. 29, 1864. Southward, earthworks centering around Fort Harrison extended to James River. These protected Chaffin's Bluff which, with Drewry's Bluff opposite it, guarded the approaches to Richmond by water.

Erected by Battlefield Markers Association. (Marker Number 44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Freeman Markers (Richmond Battlefields) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1864.

Location. 37° 26.63′ N, 77° 22.839′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is at the intersection of Mill Road and Battlefield Park Road, on the right when traveling east on Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1777 Mill Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 walking distance of this marker: Fort Gilmer (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hopeless Attacks (approx. ¼ mile away); St. James School (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. James Hall and Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Johnson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Harrison (approx. 0.9 miles away); a

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different marker also named Fort Gilmer (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Richmond Battlefields (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Confederate Bulwark (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Richmond Defences. The fortifications in front of the marker are the lesser-known Fort Gregg, while the more famous Fort Gregg is located in Petersburg.

On September 29, United States Colored Troops attacked Fort Gregg along Mill Road. Later, Union soldiers from Pennsylvania and New York swept forward to the walls of the fort, only to be shredded by the defenders. This fort was named after the commander of the famous Texas Brigade, General John Gregg, who played a key role in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm and later died defending the approaches to Richmond on October 7, 1864. - Richmond National Battlefield Park
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

2. Richmond Defences Marker

Also see . . .
1. Fort Gilmer to Fort Brady. Segment of the National Park Service tour of the Richmond Battlefields. (Submitted on December 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Battle of Chaffin's Farm. Wikipedia (Submitted on November 25, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Freeman Markers, Richmond Battlefield Parks Corporation, Douglas Southall Freeman

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. Earthworks on the north side of Mill Road
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

4. Earthworks on the south side of Mill Road (Fort Gregg)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 27, 2010

5. Fort Gregg (marker in foreground)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 27, 2010

6. Fort Gregg (marker in background)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 27, 2010

7. Fort Gregg fronting Battlefield Park Road

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2008, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,321 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on September 25, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 29, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.