As part of the Overland Campaign Benjamin Butler and his Army of the James were to move by ship up the James River and launch an attack on Richmond. Part of Butler’s force were members of The United States Colored Troops (USCT). On their way toward Bermuda Hundred they dropped off 2 regiments at Wilson’ Wharf (20 miles below Richmond) and another at Fort Powhatan (13 miles below Richmond) on May 5, 1864. The remainder of the USCT division under Brigadier General Edward Hinks were brought to City Point, which would become a supply depot. Brigadier General Edward Wild and his two regiments then set about constructing Fort Pocohontas, President Jefferson Davis and his chief military advisor General Braxton Bragg became outraged over two incidents that happened in the USCT camp at Wilson’s Wharf in May. In the first, William Clopton, a slaveholder, went to see Brigadier General Edward Wild about releasing an elderly nephew of the former 10th President of the United States John Tyler who was taken prisoner at the family’s ancestral home nearby in Charles County. Several of Clopton’s slaves had already escaped to Federal lines and reported to Wild what a cruel master he was. When Clopton arrived, General Wild an ardent abolitionist, had Clopton’s tied to a tree and whipped in front of the USCTs. Three former female slaves were also allowed to give him 20 lashes each. In the second incident on May 16th USCT went to the plantation of John Willcox and burned the house and its outbuildings. Willcox was ordered to march back to the fort with the USCT. When he refused he was shot three times and killed.

There was a huge outrage in Richmond and Confederate President Jefferson Davis felt something had to be done. The closest Confederate troops were Fitzhugh Lee’s Cavalry at Atlee’s Station. On May 23rd General Bragg ordered Major General Fitzhugh Lee to capture the fort with his cavalry division. At 4:00 PM that same day Lee left Hanover Court House for the fort with his three brigades and elements of the 5th SC Cavalry, about 2,500 men, and one cannon. They arrived there the next day in the late morning after a 40-mile ride while Lee and Grant’s armies were battling at the North Anna River. Lee was surprised to see the well constructed high-walled fort with abatis in front and a substantial concentration of infantry. There were about 1100 troops there including the 1st USCT and four companies of the 10th USCT and two guns commanded by Lieutenant Nicholas Hanson from Battery M of the 3rd NY Light Artillery. The USS Dawn was anchored in the James River near the fort. Lee deployed his men. Colonel Dunovant commanded his right wing with his 5th SC Cavalry, Lomax’s brigade and some men from Gordon’s brigade commanded by Colonel Clinton Andrews. Wickmam’s brigade made up the left wing.

After an initial skirmish Lee sent two aids, Major R.J. Mason and John Gill, to demand the fort’s surrender. Wild refused telling the aides- take the fort if you can. The aide, John Gill, got a good look at the fort and when reporting back to Lee felt that it could not be taken. Lee decided to attack despite the warning. Wickham moved in a wide arc to the east concealed in the ravines of Kennon Creek. Dunovant was to create a diversion to the west while Wickham’s brigade charged the fort. The Confederates on the left were fired on not only by the fort but also by the USS Dawn in the river. Wickham’s men charged on foot and some made it through the abatis to the trench but were forced back. Wild suffered 6 killed and 40 wounded while Lee suffered about 200 casualties. Lee was going to renew the assault but around 4:00 PM the steamer George Washington delivered the remaining four companies of the 10th USCT to the fort and Lee withdrew.

The fort is on private property but can be accessed once a year when a reenactment is held on the property generally the first weekend in June. See their website for details (link).

Next- Fort Pocohontas Scenes from the Reenactment