Fort Early
The Confederate Center
Following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg in July 1863, Lynchburg’s citizens became concerned about the lack of defenses around the city. Gen. Francis Nicholls, post commander, prepared a series of earthen redoubts and trenches at strategic points to take advantage of Lynchburg’s topography. He designed the earthen redoubt here to protect an artillery battery covering the Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike (Fort Ave.).
When Union Gen. David Hunter attacked Lynchburg in June 1864, he advanced his army from the west along the turnpike. Confederate reinforcements commanded by Gen. Jubal A. Early began arriving during the day on June 17 and quickly entrenched along a line centered of this fort to receive the initial Federal assault. Lt. Carter Berkley placed his guns in the redoubt here and opened fire at about 4 o’clock that afternoon. The fighting continued in front of the fort until dark.
During the night the Confederates extended their trenches and successfully repelled Federal attacks throughout June 18. Having failed to break through Early’s defenses, Hunter ordered a retreat, and by dawn on Sunday, June 19, the Union army was gone.
Marker is at the intersection of Fort Avenue (U.S. 460) and Vermont Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Fort Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
