The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Fort Clifton, Virginia-- Protector of Richmond

The good folks at HMdb have done it again, and cataloged a marker at the remains of Fort Clifton outside of Petersburg, Virginia. It protected the Appomattox River approach to the beleaguered city.

On May 9, 1864, it was attacked by federal gunboats under the command of Major General Charles K. Graham (must have been army gunboats to be commanded by a general). Fire from the fort disabled the Samuel L. Brewster and the crew scuttled it. Between may and June 1864, it was attacked five times. The USS Commodore Perry bombarded the fort at the request of General Butler. The fort was evacuated April 2, 1865.

The marker is located in front of the Tussing Elementary School at the intersection of Conduit Road and Brockwell Lane.

The "Beast" Butler, Again. --Blockade-R