From the Historical Marker database.
In 1861, Confederate engineer Col. Andrew Talcott surveyed several defensive positions along the James River to protect Richmond, including Harden's Bluff and the nearby Fort Boykin. He selected Harden's Bluff and construction on Fort Huger, named for Confederate General Benjamin Huger, commander of the Department of Norfolk.
Slaves and free blacks constructed it under direction of the Confederate Engineer Bureau.
Detachments of Lt. Col. Fletcher Archer's 5th Virginia Infantry were posted here and by August 1861, several guns were in place. By March 1862, the fort mounted 13 guns: 1 ten-inch Columbiad, 4 nine-inch Dahlgrens, 2 8-inch Columbiads and 6 32-pdr naval hot shot guns.
Next, the Peninsular Campaign. --Old B-Runner
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