In the early hours of September 29, 1864, Gen. Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James crossed the James River to prepare for a diversionary attack, aimed at distracting Gen. Robert E. Lee from movement against the Southside Railroad. At dawn, the Union troops, including Maj. Gen. David Birney’s X Corps, attacked the Confederates’ high ground position. The ensuing action resulted in more than 5,000 casualties, with 14 Medals of Honor awarded for the valor demonstrated by Black men in U.S. Colored Troop (USCT) units of the X Corps.
“This battle is arguably the most important moment in African American military history, yet a fitting memorial is missing to remember their service and sacrifice,” said Tim Talbot, president of the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association. “Few people, even in our own community, know about the battle or what happened here.”
Now, thanks to a joint venture between Henrico County, the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association, the Richmond Battlefields Association, the National Park Service and the American Battlefield Trust, that’s about to change.
The 3.2-mile New Market Heights Trail will follow the path of the USCT soldiers as they advanced to attack the Confederate line. Crossing land owned by the Trust, Henrico County and the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the trail will connect Four Mile Creek Trailhead to Deep Bottom Park, where pontoon bridges brought Union troops across the James River. The trail will feature prominent interpretive signage, telling the story of New Market Heights to all who visit the trail. Also planned is a monument to permanently honor those USCT soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor during the battle.
“This land communicates what real courage is,” said Chuck Laudner, a consultant for the Trust, while speaking at a public meeting to gather feedback on the project. “This is, for us and future generations, a place for people to go and not just be contemplative, but to learn and get a real sense of the weight these men had to bear.”
In addition to providing the public with interpretation and access to the county’s historic resources, the trail addresses a growing need in the region: The most requested resource to the Henrico County Department of Recreation and Parks was new trails and more connectivity to the county’s parks and open spaces. As the project advances, more spur trails are planned to deepen the interconnectivity with other trails in the area. The ADA-compliant project with 10-to-12-foot shared-use paths also addresses an accessibility gap in the county’s outdoor amenities.
The New Market Heights Trail will additionally usher in roadway-crossing improvements. This includes improved access across the often busy Route 5, which is adjacent to the planned trail, creating a seamless connection to the 52-mile Capital Trail that runs from Richmond to Williamsburg.
“Public access for recreation and education is important, because if you live here, you love land, you love preservation and you love history,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson, who has been involved with the project since its inception.
This fall, Henrico County will debut the complete trail concept. A phased construction is planned for 2026 and 2027, with the trail being fully ready to welcome the public in 2028. The project, which has been in development for the past two years, comes with a price tag of $16 million. Along with local funding, county officials hope to complete the project with grants, such as those from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
