South Chesterfield in Colonial Heights, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Brave to Madness"
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
1. "Brave to Madness" Marker
Nearby on 9 May 1864, Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood's South Carolina Brigade attacked advancing elements of the Union X and XVIII Corps. As they 11th S.C. Infantry Regiment engaged the Federals across Swift Creek near Arrowfield Church, the 21st and 25th S.C. crossed the creek and charged up the hill to attack Brig. Gen. Charles A. Heckman's "Star" Brigade. Repulsed with a loss of 137 casualties, the South Carolinians were praised in an official report as "brave to madness." Their gallant charge succeeded, however, in saving from destruction the turnpike and railroad bridges that crossed Swift Creek and formed vital links in Lee's supply lines.
Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1864.
Location. 37° 16.943′ N, 77° 24.73′ W. Marker is in Colonial Heights, Virginia. It is in South Chesterfield. It is on Boulevard (U.S. 1 / 301) north of Ash Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the south end of the bridge over Swift Creek. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3666 Boulevard, 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 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.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Union Army Checked (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Swift Creek Mill. (PDF) National Register documentation for the Swift Creek Mill. (Submitted on December 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
2. "Brave to Madness" Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
3. Advance and Retreat of Hagood's South Carolinians
Looking north from the marker location over the modern bridge. Hagood had initially sent the 11th South Carolina as a forward screen on the high ground north of the creek. Receiving the order to further probe the Federal lines, Hagood dispatched two additional regiments. The Federals at that time occupied ground near the Arrowhead Church, which stood beside the road near the top of the ridge line in the distance. The South Carolina regiments advanced up the slope, were repulsed, and retired back across Swift Creek.
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
4. Swift Creek Mill Dam
The mill, dam, and millpond have stood since the mid-19th century, but a mill was at the site as far back as the 1660s. This view looks north from near the marker location. The mill was square in the middle of the battlefield on May 9, 1864.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,626 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
