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Union Army Enters Richmond

Richmond (Ind. City) County · dedicated 2020 · Great Shiplock Park, along the Virginia Captial Trail about 35 feet northwest of a small shelter

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Maj. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, commander of the Army of the James, entered Richmond about half a mile southeast of here on 3 April 1865 after receiving a note of surrender from the mayor of the Confederate capital, which had been set ablaze by retreating Confederate troops. First to enter the city was a small cavalry squad, followed by six regiments of Brig. Gen. Edward H. Ripley's Brigade of the XXIV Corps and U.S. Colored Troops from infantry and cavalry regiments of the XXV Corps. Weitzel received the formal surrender at City Hall at 8:15 AM, while Union troops extinguished the fire that had destroyed almost 40 blocks along the James River and north to Capitol Square and restored order.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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