Fort Harrison to mark battle anniversary with tour, reenactments 

On Sept. 30, Richmond National Battlefield Park will commemorate the September 1864 Battle of Fort Harrison with a film, exhibits, tours of the site, and battle reenactments. The free event will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8621 Battlefield Park in Eastern Henrico.

Located just eight miles from the city, Fort Harrison was the largest fort defending the Confederate Capital during the Civil War. On Sept. 29, 1864, Union troops, black and white, assaulted Fort Harrison and other forts outside the city. They captured the fort but failed to advance farther. The next day Confederate counterattacks failed to recapture the fort.

The September battles near Richmond featured large numbers of African American soldiers, and their valor was rewarded with 14 men earning the Medal of Honor. Later that fall, in the Presidential election, many of these African American soldiers voted for the first time. Fort Harrison was held by United States Army troops until the final advance on Richmond in April 1865.

During the special event, visitors may tour the Fort Harrison Visitor Center and view a film and exhibits. Special exhibits will highlight the creation of the park, with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, in the 1930s. Fort Harrison was the first Civil War site to be preserved in the Richmond area.

Living historians will portray Union and Confederate troops and will discuss camp life, food, and uniforms. They will also present several battle scenarios, in which they will demonstrate how the fort was attacked and defended; these will involve rifle and artillery firing using reproduction weapons.

Special programs will highlight the role of African American soldiers, known as United States Colored Troops, who fought in the battles there. There will also be a presentation on voting in the 1864 election.

For details, visit nps.gov/rich or Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.