Richmond Evacuation Fire
N 37° 32.268 W 077° 26.170
18S E 284758 N 4157323
Confederates set a fire that spreads through the capitol.
Waymark Code: WMQ46
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 09/10/2006
Views: 37
After midnight on 3 April 1865, Confederate soldiers set fire to several tobacco warehouse nearby on orders from Lt. General Richard S. Ewell, as the army evacuated Richmond and marched west. Two distinct fires spread rapidly throughout the commercial and industrial sections of the capitol. The core of the burned out area, some 35 blocks, extended from the James River in some areas as far north as Capitol Square, and from 4th St. east to 16th St. Frightened citizens huddled in Capitol Square while looters rampaged and firefighters battled the fires. The Union Army, which occupied the city early on 3 April, finally brought the fires under control in the afternoon.
Marker Number: SA 42
Marker Title: Richmond Evacuation Fire
Marker Location: Richmond at E. Main and S. 9th streets
County or Independent City: Richmond
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: Department of Historic Resources, 1995
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