African-Americans at High Bridge

The High Bridge fortifications were built in part with the help of area free men of color who were conscripted for Confederate service. The Confederate Congress authorized the draft of free men of color to support military activities, and Confederate records indicate that about 30 black Confederates were supporting the Confederate Engineer Department at High Bridge in September 1864. The Bureau of Conscription authorized a draft for free African-Americans from Appomattox, Prince Edward, Amelia, Buckingham, and Cumberland Counties to support Captain William G. Bender, the engineer in charge of construction of the fortifications. By December 1864, at least 50 such men were engaged in the work, and they were provided Confederate uniforms and blankets because of the cold weather.

Virginia · United States