Saving History Saturday: CVBT Makes First United States Colored Troops Preservation Save
The Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) recently announced its first United States Colored Troops (USCT) preservation effort as part of the fighting during the Spotsylvania Court House campaign.
The parcel, which is part of the action between the 23rd USCT and Thomas Rosser’s Confederate Cavalry, is being referred to as the 23rd USCT tract is 3 acres and is and is at the intersection of Old Plank and Catharpin Roads.
On May 15, 1864, the 2nd Ohio Cavalry was bivouacking near Piney Branch Church on Catharpin Road when they were rousted by a Confederate cavalry reconnaissance force under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas Rosser. The Ohioans retreated north toward the Alrich Farm, located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Catharpin and Orange Plank Road.
The USCT troops were from the Fourth Division of the Union IX Corps under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero and were guarding the wagon train near the Chancellorsville intersection. A courier brought news of the action between the 2nd Ohio and Rosser’s men, and Ferrero marched the 23rd USCT to support the Ohioans.
The 23rd approached the fighting and advanced in line of battle and fired into the Confederates, who soon withdrew. Unable to pursue to cavalrymen themselves, the 2nd Ohio did and soon reoccupied their bivouac site near Piney Branch Church.
Although the fighting at the Alrich Farm was a minor affair compared to other battles in central Virginia, it was the first time that the USCTs fought against the Army of Northern Virginia.
In addition to the important USCT connection to this property, it was also part of the action on May 1, 1863, the first day of fighting at Chancellorsville. Major General Henry Slocum’s XII Corps advance was halted here, prior to falling back towards Chancellorsville.
CVBT is currently raising $100,000 to preserve the land and to begin preparing the land for interpretation and public access. To learn more, visit CVBT’s website.
