Central Office District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Evacuation Fire
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2010
1. Evacuation Fire Marker
The first tires were set by Confederate forces just after daybreak Monday April 3, 1865. Shockoe Warehouse at Shockoe Slip, and Public Warehouse on the site of Kanawha Plaza, were fired to destroy the tobacco. Railroad bridges and some private warehouses were also set on fire, but armed workers prevented the Tredegar Iron Works from being ignited.
The fires spread, partly by blown sparks and partly by mob action. Shockoe Slip, the Gallego Mills, and the commercial district around the Basin went up. The Arsenal caught fire around 8 am, and shells exploded every minute for hours. Thick smoke hung everywhere. Thousands took shelter in Capitol Square. An unknown number were killed.
As fire and mob raged, Union troops entered the city. A brigade of 4,500 soldiers worked to contain the spread of the fires and to restore order. By mid-afternoon the worst was over, but the fire burned throughout the day, and the ruins smoldered until June.
Six days later, on April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered at Appomattox.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1800.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Kanawha Plaza (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First National Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Richmond Evacuation Fire (about 600 feet away); Great Turning Basin (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Great Turning Basin (about 800 feet away); Oliver White Hill Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richmond Bread Riot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stewart-Lee House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Other markers no longer nearby. Evacuation of Richmond (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Downtown Richmond Millsites (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Basin Race (was within shouting distance of this marker but
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2010
2. Evacuation Fire Marker
More about this marker. On the upper right is a period photo of the "Ruins Across the Great Basin, 1865." with the caption, "The Gallego Mills are to the right. (Composite photo by A. Gardner, Courtesy of Library of Congress)"
Also see . . .
1. Reaction to the Fall of Richmond. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on January 18, 2010.)
2. Americas Civil War: The Fall of Richmond. Historynet (Submitted on January 18, 2010.)
3. Fall of Richmond. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on January 18, 2010.)
4. James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on January 18, 2010.)
circa April 1865
3. Ruins on the Canal Basin, Richmond, Va.
Left side of the composite photo on the marker. Library of Congress [LC-USZC4-7935]
circa April 1865
4. Ruins of Gallego Flour Mills, Richmond, Va.
Right side of the composite photo on the marker. Library of Congress [LC-USZC6-49]
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,243 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
