Fort Pocahontas/ Battle of Wilson's Wharf

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Fort Pocahontas was an earthen fort built and manned by United States Colored Troops to protect Wilson's Wharf, a key Union supply point used to support the campaign against Richmond.

The USCT soldiers were under the direct command of Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild.

At noon on May 24, 1864 about 2,500 Confederate cavalry initiated action on Wilson's Wharf, manned by a force of about 1,400 USCT troops, led by white commanders. The attack began with a mounted charge on Federal pickets, and then a dismounted attack on the fort. To attack the fort it was necessary to cross through a clearing.

Attempts at the center failed and lines of skirmishers were deployed to attack from the eastern side of the fort. Lee sent a surrender demand which Wild quickly declined.

The Federal troops, reinforced by two gunboats in the James River, returned fire and repulsed all attacks until the battle ended at six o'clock that evening. Reports of casualties are conflicting, but can be estimated at 20 for the Union and 100 for the Confederates, including dead, wounded, and captured. The action resulted in a victory for the USCTs and a major embarrassment for Major General Fitzhugh Lee, Robert E. Lee's nephew.

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, grandson of 10th President John Tyler and the resident owner of Sherwood Forest Plantation, purchased the well-preserved earthen fort site known as Wilson's Wharf in 1996. Virtually untouched for over 130 years, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources views Fort Pocahontas as "one of the best preserved fort sites." It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Annual battle reenactments are held at the site.

www.fortpocahontas.org/