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

New Market Heights

A Charge for Honor

— Siege of Petersburg & Richmond 1864 - 1865 —

New Market Heights Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2026

1. New Market Heights Marker

Inscription.

New Market Heights. A Charge for Honor. , On September 29, 1864, this ground was the scene of combat as Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler directed a two-pronged attack on Confederate defenses here. Part of his force crossed the James River at Deep Bottom, about two miles southeast, and marched toward you. One wing attacked Fort Harrison, three miles to your right front, while the other assaulted the Confederate earthworks across the road in front of you. To slow the attack, the defenders placed abatis, felled trees with intertwined branches pointing south, between the earthworks and swampy Four Mile Creek about three-quarters of a mile away., Col. Samuel A. Duncan’s brigade of U.S. Colored Troops (USCTs), the 4th and 6th USCT, got tangled in the abatis in the initial assault and was bloodily repulsed. Gen. Charles J. Paine then led his other USCT brigades toward you. Hardened Confederate veterans defended the line on New Market Road, including Gen. John Gregg’s Texas brigade, the 1st Rockbridge Artillery, and part of Gen. Martin Gary’s dismounted cavalry. Additional attacks, combined with the news that Fort Harrison had fallen, compelled the Confederates here to retreat with the USCTs in pursuit., Of 20 Medals of Honor awarded to Black soldiers and sailors for Civil War service, 14 were given for bravery at New Market Heights. The battle proved that USCTs could fight and win largely on their own. Their courage inspired the African Americans who followed them. By war’s end, they comprised 10 percent of the entire army., [Sidebar:] , Medal of Honor recipients include two white officers. , Rescuing either the national or regimental flags: , Lt. Nathan Edgerton . Sgt. Alexander Kelly . Sgt. Alfred Hilton . Sgt. Charles Veal . Sgt. Christian Fleetwood . Sgt. Thomas Hawkins, Taking command after their officers were killed or wounded: , Sgt. Powhatan Beaty . Pvt. Edward Ratcliff . Pvt. James Bronson . Pvt. Milton Holland . Pvt. Robert Pinn, Gallantry, courage, and heroism: , Lt. William Appleton . Sgt. James Harris . Corp. Miles James . Pvt. William H. Barnes . Pvt. James Gardiner

On September 29, 1864, this ground was the scene of combat as Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler directed a two-pronged attack on Confederate defenses here. Part of his force crossed the James River at Deep Bottom, about two miles southeast, and marched toward you. One wing attacked Fort Harrison, three miles to your right front, while the other assaulted the Confederate earthworks across the road in front of you. To slow the attack, the defenders placed abatis—felled trees with intertwined branches pointing south—between the earthworks and swampy Four Mile Creek about three-quarters of a mile away.

Col. Samuel A. Duncan’s brigade of U.S. Colored Troops (USCTs), the 4th and 6th USCT, got tangled in the abatis in the initial assault and was bloodily repulsed. Gen. Charles J. Paine then led his other USCT brigades toward you. Hardened Confederate veterans defended the line on New Market Road, including Gen. John Gregg’s Texas brigade, the 1st Rockbridge Artillery, and part of Gen. Martin Gary’s dismounted cavalry. Additional attacks, combined with the news that Fort Harrison had fallen, compelled the Confederates here to retreat with the USCTs in pursuit.

Of 20 Medals of Honor awarded to Black soldiers and sailors for Civil War service, 14 were given for bravery at New Market Heights. The battle proved that USCTs

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could fight and win largely on their own. Their courage inspired the African Americans who followed them. By war’s end, they comprised 10 percent of the entire army.

[Sidebar:]
Medal of Honor recipients include two white officers.
Rescuing either the national or regimental flags:
Lt. Nathan Edgerton • Sgt. Alexander Kelly • Sgt. Alfred Hilton • Sgt. Charles Veal • Sgt. Christian Fleetwood • Sgt. Thomas Hawkins

Taking command after their officers were killed or wounded:
Sgt. Powhatan Beaty • Pvt. Edward Ratcliff • Pvt. James Bronson • Pvt. Milton Holland • Pvt. Robert Pinn

Gallantry, courage, and heroism:
Lt. William Appleton • Sgt. James Harris • Corp. Miles James • Pvt. William H. Barnes • Pvt. James Gardiner

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1864.

Location. 37° 26.093′ N, 77° 19.746′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is on Farmers Circle Drive north of

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2026

2. New Market Heights Marker

New Market Road (Virginia Route 5), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3274 New Market Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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: Action at Osborne's (within shouting distance of this marker); Varina (within shouting distance of this marker); Proposed First University in English America (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Route 5 Corridor (within shouting distance of this marker); Henrico Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Pocahontas (within shouting distance of this marker); George Thorpe (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Hatcher (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

Other markers no longer nearby. New Market Heights (has been replaced with this marker); Henrico History (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.