Fort Craig (3)

 (1861-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War Fort first established in 1861 in present day Arlington County, Virginia. Named Fort Craig in G.O. 18, 30 Sep 1861, after Presley O. Craig, 2nd U.S. Artillery, who was killed at Bull Run on 21 Jul 1861. The fort was abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

History of Fort Craig
Established in August 1861 as a semi-circular stockaded lunette with a perimeter of 324 yards and emplacements for 11 guns. Armament included four 24 pounder cannons, one 24 pounder howitzer, five 30 pounder Parrott rifles, one 10" mortar and one 24 pounder Coehorn mortar. The lunette enclosed the 11 gun platforms, two magazines and a bombproof.

A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Craig, Major Holt commanding.–Garrison, two companies First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery–15 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 280 men. Armament, one 24- pounder field howitzer, four 24-pounder siege, five 30-pounder Parrotts, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar. Magazines, two; dry and in good condition. Ammunition, full supply and in good condition. Implements, complete and in good order. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison of sufficient strength. "

The fort was abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

Current Status
No remains, marker only in Arlington County, Virginia.

See Also:
 * Arlington Line - U.S. Civil War
 * Washington DC Fort Ring
 * Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War

Sources:
 * , page 98-99.
 * , page 807.

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Craig
 * Wikipedia - Fort Craig
 * HMDB - Fort Craig