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

Hopeless Attacks

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 10, 2010

1. Hopeless Attacks Marker

Inscription. "It was a most mad enterprise, but it was ordered...It was the hottest musketry fire I was ever in. Our regiment melted under it. And we fell back sullenly-we were too exhausted and too proud to run!" Elliott Grabill, 5th United States Colored Troops

"Those fellows fought well, sir. They came up at a double quick, with their guns at a right shoulder shift, and leaped into the ditch. Then they began to assist one another up the parapet and...many of them were shot down upon the edge." Unidentified Confederate artillerist in Richmond Whig

Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1864.

Location. 37° 26.821′ N, 77° 22.808′ W. Marker is in Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It can be reached from Battlefield Park Road 0.3 miles north of Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Fort Gilmer (here, next to this marker); Richmond Defences (approx. ¼ mile away); St. James School (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. James Hall and Cemetery

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Gilmer (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Harrison (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop (approx. ¾ mile away); Fort Johnson (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

Other markers no longer nearby. Richmond Battlefields (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the right is drawing with the caption, "The Union attackers had no advantages here. Confederates cut down all trees, providing a deadly field of fire for their artillery and infantry."

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm".

Also see . . . Richmond National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on July 12, 2010.)

Attacks on Fort Gilmer image. Click for full size.

2. Attacks on Fort Gilmer

The circled numbers (1-5) on the map represent the sequence of piecemeal Union attacks on September 29, 1864.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 10, 2010

3. Fort Gilmer

Section of Fort Gilmer near the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

4. Section of Fort Gilmer near the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,411 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.