Military
21
After midnight on 3 April 1865, Confederate soldiers set fire to several nearby tobacco warehouses on orders from Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell as the army evacuated Richmond and marched west. Two distinct fires spread rapidly through the capital's commercial and industrial sections. The core of the burned-out area, about 35 blocks, extended in some places from the James River 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.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Richmond, Virginia · United States
