To the Heights
of Richmond
In late September 1864, Ulysses S. Grant mounted his fifth
offensive against Confederate forces at Petersburg,
Virginia. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler led a two-pronged
assault on either end of the Confederate line. The main
targets were Fort Harrison and Chaffin’s Bluff.
BY DAVID NORRIS
Soldiers of the 6th U.S. Colored
Troops rescue the unit’s colors
during an assault on New Market
Heights near Richmond. Medal of
Honor winners included, left to
right, Lieutenant Nathan Edger-
ton, Sergeant Major Thomas R.
Hawkins, and Sergeant Alexander
Kelly. Painting by Don Troiani.CWQ-EW16 Chaffins Bluff *missing map_Layout 1 10/22/15 2:00 PM Page 18