Officers in Henrico County, Virginia, are planning to pave a 3.2-mile path that may function a group strolling route for residents and double as a historic marker, honoring the USA Coloured Troops (USCT) for his or her brave service. The Black Union troopers fought within the Battle of New Market Heights on Sept. 29, 1864, which was a part of the bigger Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, a Union offensive throughout the Petersburg–Richmond Marketing campaign, in accordance with American Battlefield Belief, a company serving to to push for the historic marker, VPM famous.
On that day, African American troopers from the USCT led a fierce assault on closely fortified Accomplice positions southeast of Richmond, displaying extraordinary braveness amid intense enemy hearth. Regardless of struggling extreme casualties, their willpower carried them into the enemy trenches, and in recognition of their valor, 14 USCT troopers have been awarded the Medal of Honor—greater than from some other single Civil Warfare engagement.
The path may quickly be a actuality.
Henrico County officers have proposed dedicating $16 million to the venture, each to honor the legacy of the troopers who fought there and to help native conservation efforts. The proposed strolling path would hyperlink Deep Backside Park—a scenic spot alongside the James River that includes a ship touchdown and canoe launch—to New Market Street, as mentioned throughout a gathering final week. Per Axios, officers are additionally contemplating whether or not to put monuments alongside the path to honor the USCT troopers.
“This place, as a lot as any, this land communicates what actual braveness is,” mentioned Chuck Laudner, a advisor with the American Battlefield Belief, throughout a latest assembly the place native officers introduced their plan proposal for the path, VPM reported. “That’s why we’re right here to honor them by highlighting and defending this battlefield floor — to guard the very place the place that legacy was solid.”
Ryan Leverging, a venture supervisor behind the forthcoming initiative, mentioned the design is full and that funding has been secured. Whereas some elements of the venture are being lined by native funds, others will rely on grant help. Henrico goals to interrupt floor on the venture subsequent yr.
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