Battle of New Market Heights

06/10/2026

We’re extremely excited about this project and happy to be a part of it:

A new trail that combines recreation, conservation and education is...

06/06/2026

At a veteran's reunion, Lt. J. H. Goulding (6th USCI) recalled about the Battle of New Market Heights:
"Going over the field after the fight, we found the color sergeant of the 4th [USCI] with both legs shattered by a round shot. He had crawled twenty yards to get out of the way of the rebs as they sprang over upon our wounded. His first question was 'Have we taken the works?' 'Yes sergeant, we have.' He raised himself to a sitting position while his mangled limbs hung by shreds of flesh, swung his hat over his head, gave a cheer for the colored brigade, and fell back gasping upon the turf. Tenderly laying him in the shade, we revived him with a little water, and after an inquiry as to whether he could live, which was answered doubtfully, he said faintly, 'Well, I carried my colors up to the works, and I did my duty, didn't I?'"

What answer do you think we gave him? What mattered it if his face was black? What more could he have done to prove himself a man, as true as any that walks the earth? His duty done, done to the utmost, even to the laying down of his life for us, for the flag, for the perpetuation of the grandest nationality the sun shines upon--from that bloody field to the peaceful reward of those whose duty has been done, he went."

05/25/2026

Remembering those who sacrificed their lives at the Battle of New Market Heights fighting to create a "more perfect Union." Pictured here are only a few of the New Market Heights soldiers that are identified and buried at Hampton National Cemetery, City Point National Cemetery, and Fort Harrison National Cemetery. We Remember!

05/22/2026

On this day in 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 143, which created the Bureau of United States Colored Troops (USCT). Article VI stated: “Colored troops may be accepted by companies, to be afterwards consolidated in battalions and regiments by the Adjutant General. The regiments will be numbered . . . in the order in which they are raised, the numbers to be determined by the Adjutant General.”

By the end of the war over 150 USCT regiments of infantry, cavalry, and light and heavy artillery served in Federal armies. While most regiments received USCT designations, a few like the 54th Massachusetts and the 29th Connecticut kept their state affiliations.

Despite limited opportunities for promotion beyond the non-commissioned officer level, USCT soldiers proved their mettle in battle time and time again at places like New Market Heights, Petersburg, Battery Wagner, Port Hudson, Milliken’s Bend, and Fort Fisher. Seventeen African American soldiers who served in USCT regiments received the Medal of Honor for courageous actions during the conflict.

In Spotsylvania County, the 23rd USCI had its first experience under fire on May 15, 1864, when it pushed back a Confederate cavalry probe along Catharpin Road, while helping guard a Federal wagon train. You can help CVBT save this land by donating at: https://bit.ly/4nuW0FI


https://www.cvbt.org

05/20/2026

The Black soldiers who survived the Battle of New Market Heights and the Civil War led interesting and productive postwar lives that in many cases would not have been possible were it not for their willingness to serve and sacrifice during the conflict. One such soldier is Sgt. Maj. Christian Fleetwood, 4th USCI.

The Library of Congress has an amazing digital collection of items related to this New Market Heights Medal of Honor recipient, including this 1869 wedding photograph with his wife Sara. Give the collection a visit at: https://www.loc.gov/collections/christian-a-fleetwood-papers/about-this-collection/


https://battleofnewmarketheights.org/

05/15/2026

Battle of New Market Heights Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Maj. Milton Holland, 5th USCI, died on this day in 1910. We remember his military service to the United States in order to make a more perfect Union.

Solicited for biographical information by James Otis, who complied accounts by Medal of Honor recipients a couple of decades after the Civil War, Sgt. Maj. Holland wrote (in third person) the following, in part:

"In the later part of August, 1864, his regiment moved to the right in front of Richmond at Deep Bottom. It was at this point that his regiment made its brilliant and famous charge on the 29th day of September, 1864. And it was there that Sergeant Major Holland led the assaulting company of his regiment in their famous charge. Brilliant as had been its past record, and courageous as the men had shown themselves to be on other fields, this one occasion seems to have been reserved as the crucial test of their fighting qualities. When they met the enemy, they fought hand to hand with a desperate valor that beggared description. The shot and shell of the enemy mowed down the front ranks of the colored troops like blades of grass beneath the sickle's deadly touch. But, with a courage that knew no bounds, the men stood like granite figures. They routed the enemy and captured the breastworks. The courage displayed by young Holland's regiment on this occasion called for the highest praise from General Grant who personally rode over the battlefield in company with Generals [Benjamin F.] Butler and [Alonzo] Draper. . . .

Holland was wounded in this battle but did not leave the field. Later in the day the regiment made a charge at Fort Harrison [Gilmer] to relieve a brigade of white troops that was unable to get back to the Union lines.

Immediately after the charge at New Market Heights, Holland was examined on the field by order of General Butler and passed for captain, but was, on account of color, refused his commission by the War Department. Twice he as presented with medals [Medal of Honor & Butler Medal] which were awarded him for bravery and distinguished services on the field of battle."

We remember!

05/15/2026

As the country marks the 250th anniversary of the 📜Declaration of Independence, the National Trust for Historic Preservation chose this year's National Preservation Month theme as "all people are created equal," which offers the chance to explore our country's many untold stories.

One story that CRLC has been working to share is that of the Battle of New Market Heights where the U.S. Colored Troops demonstrated such extraordinary courage under devastating conditions, their sacrifice helped secure the fall of Richmond, and the Confederacy, just six months later. Of the 17 🎖️Medals of Honor awarded to USCT during the entire Civil War, 14 were earned here, on this hallowed ground, in eastern Henrico County.

The Battle of New Market Heights wasn't just a battle but a turning point in American history.

Give TODAY to the New Market Heights Campaign to help us purchase another 150 acres to further connect our mosaic of conserved land that protects this📯historic landscape as well as our 🌳natural resources, 🐝wildlife habitats, and the 🌅rural character of Henrico, Virginia.

05/09/2026

Lt. James D. Pickens, Co. E, 3rd Arkansas Inf. (commanding Texas Brigade pickets on Sept. 29, 1864) from "Confederate Veteran," Vol. 21, page 484, 1913.

"Just before day I had the outer pickets withdrawn to reservation line, with instructions to hold the line as long as possible and then to fall back slowly. As anticipated, just at the break of day the enemy charged us with a solid line of battle. In fact, I think there were two or three lines, all [N]egro troops. We had a brisk running fight until we reached the breastworks, where we found our brigade all in the works ready for the charge. I want to say in this connection that, in my opinion, no troops up to that time had fought us with more bravery than did those [N]egroes."

Considering the time this account was written, and who was writing it, this was high praise for the USCTs who fought so courageously at New Market Heights. Lt. Pickens, who enlisted in 1861, was a hardened veteran by the New Market Heights fight. He certainly had plenty of previous combat experience to compare with the performance of the USCTs.

Help us honor the New Market Heights USCT soldiers (including 14 Black Medal of Honor recipients) by joining our efforts to create awareness of their service and memorialize their bravery. Information on memberships and donations are at: https://battleofnewmarketheights.org/donate/