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

Storming the Fort

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

1. Storming the Fort Marker

Inscription. ... The men nobly responded to their officers' call and pour over the edge of the ditch into the dry moat, and then, scrambling up the bank, some on hands and knees, some stepping on their bayonets thrust into the clay, some on each other's shoulders, the blue column mounts the parapet, lingers a moment in a fierce blaze of musketry on its crest, and finally overflowing all barriers, pushes across the parade ground...
William S. Hubbell, 21st Connecticut Infantry

Captain Cecil Clay commanded the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry during the September 29, 1864 assault. Seizing a flag, the 22-year-old Clay scaled the wall of Fort Harrison and stood atop the parapet waving the banner until felled by severe wounds. For his streme gallantry at Fort Harrison, Clay received the Medal of Honor in 1892.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1865.

Location. 37° 25.579′ N, 77° 22.45′ W. Marker is in Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker can 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 is in this post office area: Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Well (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Building Fort Burnham (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fort Parapet (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bombproof (about 300 feet away); Bombproof and Casemate (about 300 feet away); Counterattack (about 400 feet away); Confederate Trenches (about 400 feet away); A Unique Photograph (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

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. Storming the Fort Marker

Fort Burnham Ditch and Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

3. Fort Burnham Ditch and Wall

The west face of Fort Burnham, in front of the marker. This section of the fort complex was built by Federals after capture of Fort Harrison.

Southwest Face of Fort Burnham image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010

4. Southwest Face of Fort Burnham

Also a section built by Federals after capture of the fort. But this wall is similar in layout to the Confederate works which were stormed by the Federals.

Cecil Clay's Loyal Legion Medal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jeffry Burden, October 4, 2016

5. Cecil Clay's Loyal Legion Medal

Clay's membership medal in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). The MOLLUS was the first post-Civil War veterans' organization, founded in April 1865 by and for Union commissioned officers. Clay, who ended the War as a Brevet Brigadier-General, was one of its initial members (Companion #00149).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 867 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Jeffry Burden of Richmond, Virginia.