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

Braving the Fire

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

1. Braving the Fire Marker

Inscription. The Union attacking force paused briefly to reorganize in the low ground behind you. Then, defying heavy infantry and artillery fire, they lunged toward the steep earth walls of Fort Harrison.
From a sketch by noted artist, William Waud.

Some of our men fall riddled with bullets; great gaps are rent in our ranks as the shells cut their way through us, or burst in our midst; a solid shot or shell striking directly will bore straight through ten or twenty men; here are some men literally cut in two, others yonder are blown to pieces -- and the horrors of an assault in force... are repeated over and over again.
S. Millett Thompson, 13th New Hampshire Infantry

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 25.551′ N, 77° 22.346′ W. Marker was in Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It could be reached from Battlefield Park Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the walking trail in the Fort Harrison Unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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

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this location: The Killing Fields (here, next to this marker); Union Entrenchements (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Trenches (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant Under Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Big Guns Spoke" (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproof and Casemate (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproof (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fort Parapet (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

More about this marker. This Marker was replaced by a new one named, "The Killing Fields"

Also see . . . Battlefield Tour - Ft Gilmer to Ft Brady. Richmond National Battlefield Park website. (Submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

2. Braving the Fire Marker

Ditch in front of Confederate Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. Ditch in front of Confederate Works

Federals had to scale the slope here in order to capture the Confederate works at Fort Harrison. After the fort was captured, the Federals continued to use some of the old lines as rear defenses during the ongoing operations.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on July 5, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.